Career Mentor Field Trip
Photo by Regan Rogers, Marietta College/BB2C Communication Project Intern
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By Barb Schafer, BB2C Career Mentor Coordinator
This year the BB2C Career Mentor Program once again held its annual Marietta College Field Trip designed to get students and mentors together in one location with all six Washington County Schools in attendance. In all, 18 mentors and 56 students were able to travel to the campus for a morning filled with activities organized by the Office of Community Engagement and Education and the McDonough Leadership Program students. This year's activities designed to emphasize confidence, collaboration, team building, leadership and communication skills included "Just One Word." Human Knot, and Mine Field. In each case students and mentors had to communicate in order to complete a task which included figuring out the answer to a puzzle, how to untangle a multi-player human knot, and how to navigate while blindfolded through a minefield. There was plenty of laughter and great conversations all around. To finish the day, students and mentors enjoyed a social time while served a boxed lunch, and several schools stayed for an afternoon campus tour.
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By Josh Booth, Marietta College/BB2C Communication Project Intern
Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C) held a unique event at Marietta College to help middle school students strengthen their leadership skills. The annual Career Mentor Middle School Field Trip invited students from BB2C’s Career Mentor Program to engage in a series of interactive activities designed to boost their confidence in listening, communicating effectively, and solving problems together. As the students and their Career Mentors arrived, they were divided into groups, and the day began by allowing them to get to know each other better.
The group activities at the event were led by Marietta College Leadership students. Each station presented a new challenge. Some activities tested the middle school students' verbal communication while others required nonverbal cues to help their teammates accomplish specific tasks. Regardless of the outcome, the participants were encouraged to support one another, emphasizing the importance of working together through success or failure.
The atmosphere was filled with joy as the students shared laughs throughout the day. One observer noted that the kids were clearly having fun, even during moments of failure, which allowed them to realize that setbacks are not the end of the world. This environment was perfect for teaching them resilience and navigating challenges in the real world.
Through these various games and exercises, the middle school students learned how to lead and follow better in both structured and spontaneous situations. "The activities helped and encouraged the students to use their different forms of communication, whether that is verbal or nonverbal, to allow their teammates to do the challenge," one event organizer explained. This aspect of the event was especially important, as it reminded the students that communication comes in many forms, and being able to adjust their approach based on the situation will be crucial in their future careers.
One of the key takeaways from the event was how to handle the unknown. Many of the challenges presented during the event were difficult for the students to solve, mirroring the types of problems they might face in their future jobs. "In a lot of the activities, they were faced with a challenge that they couldn't get. In their future jobs, there will be many times that they do not know what to do, and this helps them figure out the answer, communicating," said one of the mentors. This message helped drive home the importance of perseverance, creative problem-solving, and, most importantly, communication in overcoming obstacles.
One student shared their favorite part of the day, saying, "I love being able to boss around my friends," which brought some laughs from the group. This playful comment underscored the fun and camaraderie that were central to the event's success.
By the end of the day, the teens left with new skills, new friends, and a deeper understanding of the importance of effective communication, both now and in the future.
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By Heather Miller, BB2C Communications & Engagement Coordinator and COMM 203-06 Instructor
Marietta College Communication 203-06 students had an opportunity to assist with two BB2C events hosted by Marietta College on February 28, 2025. The students acted as BB2C/Marietta College Communication Project Interns and became storytellers, photographers, and facilitators.
Discover Arts Day brought together 57 high school students with seven local art-based professionals to explore career opportunities through the arts.
The Career Mentor Field Trip had close to 70 middle school students participate with over 30 local professionals who volunteer as Career Mentors. Marietta College leadership students planned and ran leadership activities for the students and their mentors.
Photo by Bryce Brogan, Marietta College/BB2C Communication Project Intern