TJC hosts C4 Career Connections conference for area high school students | TJC

TJC hosts C4 Career Connections conference for area high school students

Tyler Junior College hosted several hundred area high school juniors and seniors on Friday for the annual C4 Career Connections conference.

 The event was presented by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tyler Area Business Education Council.
 
Throughout the day, students participated in panel discussions with local professionals who shared their work experiences and advice on topics ranging from tips for getting into college to money management. They also participated in mock job interviews and received advice on résumé-writing.
 
Students learned about a variety of careers, including agriculture, architecture, business, communication, education, finance, health sciences, information technology, law, manufacturing, marketing and public service.
 
TJC President Dr. Juan E. Mejia served as keynote speaker at the event.
 

C4 group

Pictured from left: Bob Westbrook, Tyler Area Business Education Council board president; LaToya Young, Tyler Area Business Education Council executive director; and Dr. Juan E. Mejia, Tyler Junior College president.

In her introduction of Mejia, LaToya Young, executive director of the Tyler Area Business Education Council and liaison for Tyler Area Partnership 4 Education, said, “The thing that I enjoy when I spend time with Dr. Mejia is that he doesn’t take the hands-off approach. He shows up, he’s right there with you, and he rolls up his sleeves. And in order to take on the challenge of increasing educational outcomes, he doesn’t ask, ‘What are YOU doing?’ He asks, ‘What are WE going to do?’”
 
Mejia made it a point to talk about the synergy taking place when professional colleagues all come together, focused on our communities to invest time, expertise and wisdom on our very own students.

“It is wonderful to see numerous personal friends who are experts in their fields and stellar role models and who serve our communities on an ongoing basis, promoting degree attainment, economic development and a stronger region,” he said.
 
Mejia challenged the audience to become game-changers in our communities and to work together so that others’ lives become masterpieces. 
 
“Overall it was a fantastic day for the greater Tyler area, and Tyler Junior College was honored to serve as host,” he said. 

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