West Virginia University has received a $149,000 grant from Verizon to create a social networking Web site promoting 21st century career opportunities among middle and high school students in West Virginia.
The project will place special emphasis on opportunities in the energy sector.
West Virginias next generation of skilled workers is as comfortable interacting in virtual communities via the Internet as they are in face-to-face settings,said B. Keith Fulton, president of Verizon West Virginia.Verizon is happy that it can help to seed a safe, new virtual community where young West Virginians can engage with industry role models, educators and peers as part of a meaningful career exploration experience.
Partners in the project include WVU s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and College of Human Resources and Education, and The EdVenture Group, a nonprofit organization that works closely with schools and educators throughout the state.
The site will connect students throughout West Virginia with mentors from industry and from schools and colleges in the state, who will engage and educate students on 21st century industries and jobs in high-growth fields like the energy sector.
The energy sector is projected to experience significant growth in high-paying jobs that will provide opportunities for todays students, but not enough of our young people are getting the background they need in the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and math) to qualify for those jobs,said Gene Cilento, Glen Hiner Dean of the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.We are excited about the opportunity this project will provide for us to educate students about the opportunities that are there.
Unlike Facebook.com and other social networking sites, the new site, once developed, will not be open to the general public. Rather, a network of representatives from participating companies and schools will serve as experts and mentors for students who join the site.
Along with Web-based interaction within groups, the site will host discussion groups, chats and blogs on relevant topics and anAsk the Counselorsection where students can ask questions concerning academic or career issues. Other activities may include contests based on career knowledge, virtual career fairs and group visits to employer or educational facilities.
This project takes a truly innovative approach to career awareness and education, using the newly popular vehicle of social networking as a tool for reaching out to todays young people,said Anne Nardi, dean of WVU s College of Education and Human Resources.Our students and faculty are excited about getting involved with it and serving as mentors to middle and high school students.
Studies indicate that the single greatest factor influencing a students decision to enter the sciences is encouragement from a mentor,said Lydotta Taylor, director of The EdVenture Group.The driving philosophy behind this project will be to identify and recruit role models from the ranks of teachers, school counselors, University faculty members, professionals from industry and current WVU students. Our goal will be to provide an innovative and exciting forum for these mentors to engage students.
The Web site is being undertaken as a one-year pilot project. Assuming it is successful, further funding will be sought, and it will be extended and possibly expanded to other industry sectors in the state and region.
Verizon West Virginia, headquartered in Charleston, is part of Verizon Communications Inc., a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.
Verizon Wireless operates Americas most reliable wireless network, serving 63.7 million customers nationwide. Verizons Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nations most advanced fiber-optic network.
A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse work force of nearly 238,000, and last year, it generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com .
The gift from Verizon was made through the WVU Foundation, a private nonprofit corporation that generates and provides support for WVU .