Young Women Offered ‘Real World’ Advice in a Fun Way

Preparing for college or to enter the job market, learning how to protect yourself and carry yourself with confidence, these lessons can sometimes be tricky for adults to teach young women. 

So why not let their peers take on the job and share the information in a productive, non-judgmental and fun way? With these goals in mind, a group of local teens, with help from local business owners and parents, have put together an event that hits on all the primary issues and is done in a fun-loving, low-pressure way.

“Get Real in the Real World: A Young Women’s Summit” will take place at Bridge Street Live in Collinsville and feature a fashion show, self-defense tips, college and job interview advice, makeovers, a raffle, demonstrations and more. The free event is open to area high school girls and designed to help them as they prepare for college, the job market and/or other areas of adult life. 

While local businesses and professionals are a key part of the event, high-school student Deirdre Kronschnabel said the best part is that it’s just for ninth to 12th graders and not parents. That offers a great chance for peer interaction and professional advice, without making it overbearing.

“Ultimately you feel you can comfortably explain those options,” she said.

“It’s a place to open up,” added student Taylor Bachteler.

Kronschnabel and Bachteler are half of a team of students who have worked with management at the Shoppes at Farmington Valley in Canton since December to organize the event. The others are Taryn Asklof and Emily Webster.

Under the guidance of general manager Denise Robidoux and marketing/operations coordinator Brandi Killoran, they are learning the ins and outs of putting the event together.

It involves finding business owners willing to showcase fashions, restaurants that will donate food, local professionals to share skill sets, leaders willing to speak to the group, designing brochures, speaking to the media and numerous other details.

“It’s a great introduction to the work environment,” Asklof said.

But the event benefits all attendees not just the student organizers, Robidoux said.

One key aspect is the advise on presenting themselves at interviews and will cover everything from appropriate, yet affordable dress to speech mannerisms.

“We want to show them how to make a good impression, whether it’s a job interview or a college interview,” she said.

This will be the third year the Shoppes, with support from the Canton Education Foundation, has worked with high school students on a project. It’s the second year of the Get Real Event, also sponsored by Bridge Street Live and many others.

The idea came in talking to school officials.

“One of the biggest concerns was girls and how they present themselves,” Killoran said.

The event offers a way to “attack the situation positively,” Robidoux added.

The event is set for 5 to 8 p.m. April 10. Pre-registration is required. Simply visit www.facebook.com/GetRealForTheRealWorld and click on events, then join.