The Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED) hosted a “World of Work Day” for the Conway Area Youth Leadership Institute (CAYLI) on November 6, 2019. This is one of seven monthly sessions that the 21 CAYLI students attend to be exposed to different aspects of Faulkner County to be more aware of and involved in their community.
The Conway Area Youth Leadership Institute is a program operated by the Division of Outreach and Community Engagement at the University of Central Arkansas. The program is comprised of junior and senior high school students from across Faulkner County with the goals of developing leadership potential, broadening community awareness, encouraging community participation, and providing mentoring and career exploration in the students’ areas of vocational interest. The students take part in a summer retreat, attend seven monthly sessions, conduct a community service project, and will graduate in April of 2020.
This session covered the “World of Work” and the day started with the CCED Project Coordinator Moriah Bruner as she shared best practices for young professionals for applying to jobs, interviewing, utilizing career resources, and networking. Corey Parks, Director of Economic Development at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, followed with a presentation about the past, present, and future of economic development in Conway. The students then traveled to the UCA Makerspace to explore and experience the tools and technologies they have to offer with Master Maker Jason Huselton. At the Makerspace, the students were able to learn about the laser engraving machine, use 3D modeling software for 3D printing, and were able to create and take home a personalized laser engraved key chain. The day was then capped off with an economic development simulation, called Newtownia Go, led by CCED Director Shelby Fiegel that simulates the difficulties of community and economic development when multiple parties have competing interests in what is best for the fictional town.
The CAYLI Program has been operating for 24 years and has graduated over 500 students from Faulkner County. You can learn more about the Conway Area Youth Leadership Institute here.