April 9, 2019‍

More than 70 students from area high schools received real-world experience and were given an in-depth look at their potential future careers. On Tuesday, April 9, 2019, Crest Industries hosted its annual Job Shadowing Day. The event is designed to inspire the next generation of professionals to pursue a career in anything from engineering and design to project management to accounting and finance.

“We understand our area high school students want to be sure about their future. To have that certainty, they need exposure. Our goal is to prepare students and give them an idea of the promising and rewarding jobs that are available right here in central Louisiana,” says Carol Hendrix, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development for Crest.

Juniors and Seniors from central Louisiana high schools participated in this year’s event. Students submitted applications to participate and ranked various disciplines they may wish to pursue after high school. Crest scheduled student discussions accordingly to ensure they have opportunities to visit with Crest employees who work in their fields of interest.

“We want the students to look at this event as an opportunity and sort of an informal job interview. Because after the event, we don’t just say goodbye and wish them well. We stay in touch. We follow up with the students throughout their college careers. So hopefully, if they go away to school, they come back, or if they attend our local colleges, they want to stay in Cenla. This way our community and Crest Industries can continue to grow,” says Hendrix.

Breakout sessions throughout the day offered students hands-on experience as well as a glimpse of a day in the life of Crest employees. Students were also able to interact, network and ask questions with members of the Crest management team during the event’s opening session and lunch. Community leaders from the City of Pineville, Alexandria, CLEDA, the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce and various school districts were also in attendance.
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