GOOD AND BAD – Amy Grant, right, of WVU Medicine-Weirton Medical Center, meets with Ashley Flaherty, of Youth Services System, during a mock interview to provide pointers to the students for when they begin looking for a job. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Several dozen local high school juniors learned Wednesday some of what they can expect once they step foot into the job market.

Through the annual Dr. Barbara A. Matey High School Business Symposium, more than 80 students from Brooke, Madonna, Oak Glen, Steubenville, Weir and Indian Creek high schools spent their day at Undo’s learning the importance of establishing and following a budget, how to properly build a resume and conduct themselves during a job interview, the potential for branding and marketing and how to develop and present a product.

“I think the program is beneficial for the students who get to participate,” explained Brenda Mull, president of the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce.

The symposium is organized each year through the chamber’s Education Committee. It is named in honor of Barbara Matey, a former chair of the committee, who spent many years offering her time to the community as a volunteer, in addition to her experience as an educator and businessperson.

“This was a passion she had,” noted Mull, adding the decision to name the program after Matey was made following her death in 2013.

A HEAD START — Juniors from six area high schools received a few early tips for the business world, Wednesday, as part of the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Dr. Barbara A. Matey High School Business Symposium. -- Craig Howell

Among those offering guidance to the students Wednesday were Zachary White, WVU Extension agent for Hancock County, who presented the budgeting piece where he showed the potential salaries of various jobs compared with the cost of goods and services; Amy Grant of WVU Medicine-Weirton Medical Center, who discussed techniques to compile a resume; and Rachel Keeney, executive director of the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau, who showcased methods of color choice, symbolism and design when building a business brand.

Grant was assisted by Daniel Day of Daytatech, and Ashley Flaherty, of Youth Services System, in showcasing elements of poor and proper job interviews.

“With all of our facilitators, committee members, and sponsors, it was another successful symposium,” Mull said.

The day concluded with a competition to see which group could develop and successfully test and market a product — an egg-catching device — using provided materials.

West Virginia Northern Community College served as the presenting sponsor of Wednesday’s activities, with additional support provided by Tri-State CCS, Mountaineer Casino Resort, the City of Weirton, Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, R.E. Saxon Jeweler, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, James White Construction, First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union, Fiesta Tableware, Fairfield by Marriott, WVU Extension, and WVU Medicine-Weirton Medical Center.

Those volunteering throughout the day included Zachary White, Matt Thorn, Clark Miller, Joe Barnabei, Ida Williams, Joe Paolo, Adam DePuglia, Dawn Smith, Yolanda Edwards, Heather Southern, Diane Pastoric, Kristi Aulick, DeeAnn Pulliam, Ashley Flaherty, Daniel Day, Gabe D’Ortenzio, Rachel Keeney, Carole Scheerbaum, Joshua Benyo, Joann Burnetta and Huntington Bank.