By RACHEL HARRIS

RESERVE-Siemens Building Technologies held an interview skills workshop Thursday at East St. John High School as part of the “Grow Your Own” program, where three students, one each from St. Charles, St. James, and St. John the Baptist parishes, are invited to work summer internships at the company’s St. Rose location.

The interns will have the opportunity to rotate through the departments and work with engineers, construction people, mechanics, and technicians, Manager Gary Grashoff said.

MetroVision and the St. John School Board School-to-Career department coordinated the project with Siemens. Principals at the high schools were asked to recommend prospective students. Then parents and students attended an orientation explaining the internship.

The Siemens’ recruitment team sent Academics Relations Manager Troy Behrens from the Chicago headquarters to advise the applicants on job searching.

Behrens said his job is to help students prepare for future jobs and interviews. He offered work skills tips and lessons on first impressions. Behrens demonstrated resume writing techniques and explained employee responsibilities.

“My job is to travel through US an Canada, talk to high school and college students, and help them transition from school to work,” Behrens said.

After interview workshop, the five students from ESJHS and one from WSJHS will be contacted for official interviews at the St. Rose branch.

Students will also be chosen from St. James Parish and St. Charles Parish public schools following interviews which we be held in the next two weeks.

The selected students will have the opportunity to receive scholarship money and could possibly be asked back to work for the company.

“It’s a partnership between Siemens and its customers. We appreciate the opportunity,” Camille Steen, Siemens’ Quality Assurance Coordinator, said.