North Posey Connection & Beyond

In a 2021 LinkedIn Survey, communication was among employers' top three most sought-after soft skills. One main complaint from employers is the lack of soft skills among young working adults.

What is effective communication? Effective communication is exchanging ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and data so that the message is received and understood with clarity and purpose. When we communicate effectively, both the sender and receiver feel satisfied.

Having strong communication skills aids in all aspects of your personal life, professional life, and everything that falls between.

Here are some pointers to look out for when looking to improve your ability to communicate effectively with others from Corporate Finance Institute Education, Inc.:

1. Listening

To become a good communicator, it is important to be a good listener. It is important to practice active listening – pay close attention to what others are saying and clarify ambiguities by rephrasing their questions for greater understanding.

2. Conciseness

Convey your message in as few words as possible. Do not use filler words and get straight to the point. Rambling will cause the listener to tune out or be unsure of what you are talking about. Avoid speaking excessively and do not use words that may confuse the audience.

3. Body language

It is important to practice good body language, use eye contact, utilize hand gestures, and watch the tone of the voice when communicating with others. A relaxed body stance with a friendly tone will aid in making you look approachable to others.

Eye contact is important in communication – look the person in the eye to indicate that you are focused on the conversation. But make sure to not stare at the person as it can make him or her uncomfortable.

4. Confidence

Be confident in what you say and in your communication interactions with others. Being confident can be as easy as maintaining eye contact, maintaining a relaxed body stance, and talking with concision. Try not to make statements sound like questions and avoid trying to sound aggressive or demeaning.

5. Open-mindedness

In situations where you disagree with what someone else has to say, whether it be with an employer, a co-worker, or a friend, it is important to sympathize with their point of view rather than simply try to get your message across. Respect the opinion of others and never resort to demeaning those who do not agree with you.

6. Respect

Respecting what others have to say and acknowledging them is an important aspect of communication. Being respectful can be as simple as paying attention to what they have to say, using the person's name, and not being distracted. By respecting others, the other person will feel appreciated, which will lead to a more honest and productive conversation.

7. Using the correct medium

There are several different forms of communication to use – it is important to choose the right one. For example, communicating in person about serious matters (layoffs, salary

Source: Communication skills. Corporate Finance Institute. (2022, April 28). Retrieved October 10, 2022, from https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/careers/soft-skills/communication/

Many companies are posting internship openings for next summer. If interested in an internship, please visit a company's website. Most companies will post them under career opportunities on their website. I have provided an example for Berry Global. Click here to view the internship listing. If you need help, please ask a teacher, your counselor, or Mrs. Rankin for assistance.

Current Course Offerings

Digital Applications, Illustrations and Graphics, and Principles of Business Management

Tell a little about yourself

I graduated from North Posey in 1998 and then went to USI. After I graduated I taught at Forest Park for 5 years and then had the opportunity to start teaching at North Posey and am starting my 15th year here. My husband, Shane, and I have been married for 20 years and have 5 children - Renee, Nolan, Carter, Kendall, and Jordan.

How did you choose your career?

I had some great business teachers when I was a student here at North Posey - Mrs. Blunier, Mr. Wilgus, and Mrs. Phipps. When I graduated I knew I wanted to do something in business, however I didn't realize I wanted to teach until I was given the opportunity to coach volleyball and track in the junior high. After I started working with the students I realized teaching would be a great fit for me.

What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?

If I were not teaching I think I would like to be a labor and delivery nurse. In my experiences the nurses were the ones who helped me through the hardest parts of delivering a baby and all of the craziness after the delivery. How rewarding to be able to help bring new life into the world.

What is the favorite part about your job?

I love seeing the success that the students have inside of my classroom but even more so after they leave my room and graduate. I also really enjoy getting to work with the students outside of the regular classroom setting in activities like Student Council, BPA, and National Honor Society. I really get to know and see a different side to the students I work with in these organizations.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

Mrs. Parrish was my softball coach and Mrs. Gries was my volleyball coach.

Email: sschickel@northposey.k12.in.us
Location: 5900 High School Road, Poseyville, IN, USA

Location(s):

9019 IN-66, Wadesville, IN 47638

Mission/Vision:

At Barton Automotive, we focus on serving customers, team members, and the community. We strive to foster a workplace culture that focuses on serving and growing.

About:

The Barton Automotive team is talented in providing repair and maintenance solutions on all foreign and domestic family and fleet vehicles. We are a full-service repair facility utilizing the latest diagnostic equipment, tools, and resources to provide a superior customer service experience.

Employment Demographics and Opportunities:

Technicians, service advisors, general maintenance, and office assistant.

Great news from Barton Automotive:

Five North Posey graduates work at Barton Automotive: Evan Bromm, Class of 2019 Chris Taylor, Class of 2007 Roddy Blaylock, Class of 2002 Maureen Barton, Class of 1998 Steve George, Class of 1973

Website: https://bartonautomotive.com/services
Location: 9019 IN-66, Wadesville, IN, USA
Phone: (812) 985-3000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BartonAutomotiveServices

Tell a little about yourself.

I am a graduate from Vincennes University and Ivy Tech. Even though I've transferred out of the technician role, my ASE certifications are all current. My wife and I opened Barton Automotive in 2006 in a 2-bay garage with me as the only employee. We have grown to a 13-bay shop with 15 team members. I’m interested in anything mechanical and enjoy fishing and spending time with my family.

What training/education did you need to get this job?

Although I always had a very strong interest in anything mechanical, I chose a different career path in high school and went to Vincennes University (VU) for Tool & Die. After graduating from VU and spending 1.5 years in that line of work, I realized that wasn’t my calling and automotive mechanics was a better fit. I enrolled in the Ivy Tech program and got my foot in the door at a local Ford dealer. While completing the automotive program at Ivy Tech and working at the dealer; I also took all the trainings Ford offered. I spent a lot of my own time reading and learning more so I could be a better technician. I recommend that all technicians from entry level to seasoned master techs, spend time at least weekly, learning more to improve their skill set. A good automotive program gives you a foundation (theory) to build upon, but it is just that, a foundation/starting point. It takes years of on the job training and experience to become a proficient diagnostic technician.

What does your day-to-day look like?

As a business owner that works in and on the business, there are many tasks. I spend most my time ensuring we are delivering the best customer service. This includes training employees on processes, assisting technicians with problem solving, and managing the workflow. I also work on the business which includes some administrative work, payroll, marketing, etc. I don’t have a set routine. One day I may spend time in the shop, the next day in my office. I enjoy the flexibility in my schedule and the new challenges.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of owning an automotive repair business is working on improving the business and growing. It’s rewarding to buy new equipment, find resources that help technicians, and put processes in place that make us better at what we do, more efficient, and increase employee and customer satisfaction. From the beginning, I have attended many trainings. In the early years, most of the training was technical in nature and expanded my knowledge in repairing vehicles. Later in my career, I focused more on learning the business side. I continue to learn more every day and aspire to continue to learn.

When did you first become interested in your career?

I was always drawn to anything mechanical from a young age. When I was about 21 years old, I worked in a different line of work, and that is when I realized I should pursue a path I got excited about. Shortly after I got involved in repairing cars, I knew this was the pathway I wanted to take.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering your type of job/career?

There has never been a bigger shortage of automotive technicians. A top performing technician is in high demand and can earn over $100,000 annually. It’s not a job that just anyone can do well. You need to have a strong interest in problem solving, and work well with your hands. Being a technician is a rewarding career. There are several career paths for someone who starts as a technician.

What is something you wish you would have known about "real life" when you were in school?

The old cliche about “the sky is the limit” is true. If you have determination, passion, and lots of perseverance, you can go as far as you want in your career.

Founded in 1801 VU is Indiana’s first college making your degree widely recognized by top employers! Vincennes is a vibrant city rich with culture and history. Here you will find many unique local happenings, such as the George Rogers Clark National Historic Park, Fort Knox II, and the mansion of VU founder and US President William Henry Harrison.

VU is a small university which allows your instructors to give you individualized support. You will be known by your name and connected with resources to meet your goals. Here you will be respected, listened to, and cared about.

Find more out about the Trailblazers by visiting https://www.vinu.edu/.

Website: https://www.vinu.edu/
Location: 1002 North First Street Vincennes, Indiana 47591

North Posey Junior High School recently conducted its quarterly STEM Challenge. The 6th grade from each elementary school participated in the event. The students were given a week to build a water rocket from cardboard, 2-liter bottles, duct tape, and construction paper. Each team was judged on height, distance, and accuracy by attempting to make a field goal. It was a great experience for all the students.

Students interested in a part-time job after school or on weekends, please contact me at bjrankin@northposey.k12.in.us for more information. A great way to save money for college, a car, or some extra spending money!

Nisbet Inn - Dishwasher or kitchen help.

Froggy's Restaurant - Waitress and kitchen help.

Jodie Rankin, District CTE Coordinator

Are paper business cards becoming obsolete? Once the common way to exchange professional details, business cards may fade in favor of paperless replacements. Businesses now offer plastic cards, QR codes, or objects embedded with NFC chips that transfer info directly to mobile devices. The Wall Street Journal recently mentioned a gentleman with a ring that included a chip implanted with professional contact information.

People like digital business cards because they’re:

• Contact-free
• Eco-friendly — 88% of paper cards get tossed within a week
• Easy to update
• Set up to automatically digitize info

Many experts still recommend carrying supplemental paper business cards if you encounter technical issues. "If you like business cards but still want to go green? These biodegradable paper cards are embedded with seeds that grow when planted"(Cohen, 2022).

Source: Cohen, J. (2022, August 29). Goodbye, paper business cards? The Hustle. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://thehustle.co/08302022-business-cards/

Email: bjrankin@northposey.k12.in.us
Phone: 812-682-0631