From left, seniors Sienna LaRock, Annalee White, Elesia Sweig and Alivia Kleikamp took part in the 26th-annual mock interviews at Niagara High School in Niagara, Wis. (Contributed photo)

NIAGARA, Wis. — Even experienced professionals can feel anxious when facing a job interview. Because so much is at stake, preparation is essential for students pursuing future careers.

To help with this, seniors at Niagara High School recently participated in mock interviews conducted by local business professionals. The event was the 26th consecutive year that NHS has offered this valuable experience.

Students applied for positions aligned with potential career paths available through participating businesses and were interviewed accordingly. In their College Preparatory English IV class, seniors prepared for this experience by submitting resumes and cover letters to interviewers in advance. In addition, each student developed a professional portfolio showcasing their skills. These comprehensive portfolios included transcripts, letters of recommendation, career assessment results, and research on effective interviewing strategies.

After each interview, students received a thorough evaluation from their interviewer(s), including comments and a detailed 150-point rubric assessing their performance. A final self-evaluation will be completed in class with their instructor Ginger Anderson, focusing on both strengths and areas for improvement.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our high school seniors. Many find that the actual interview format is completely new to them,” Anderson said. “Students have claimed that the detailed feedback given by these business professionals has been exceedingly beneficial in preparing them for future employment.”

NHS seniors extend their appreciation to the interview panel for their ongoing support of this important career-preparation program.

The 2026 NHS mock-interview panel included Joe Johnston and Rodney Naber, M.J. Electric; Robert Sauld, Maryhill Manor; Megen Wagner and Terry Hanson, School District of Niagara; and TJ Liebergen, Pella Windows and Doors.