STS Steel, Inc. | Speak Educators’ Native Language: Enthusiasm

"My contact with each school was an actual invitation saying how excited we were to invite our local students to get an inside peek into a steel fabrication company in their area!" -- Jane Baldauf, STS Steel, Inc.

Educators are driven by a passion to help their students build great lives for themselves--and that shared commitment is a natural foundation for a professional partnership. It’s important to communicate that you see great potential in their students and want to help them jump-start their careers. Demonstrating your enthusiasm for students will kick-start your networking relationships and your engagement with potential employees.

Researching and Initial Contact

1. Research Online: I started by researching online directories of local high schools, specifically looking for departments related to technology, manufacturing, and construction. This allowed me to find the heads of these departments, their email addresses, and their phone numbers. Use this spreadsheet to organize the school contact information.

2. Send Personalized Emails: I didn’t make cold calls. Instead, I sent personalized emails to the heads of the relevant departments. My emails included a specific invitation, expressing our excitement about hosting their students for an inside look at our steel fabrication company.

3. Follow-Up Contacts: Usually, the initial contact person was happy to receive the invitation and often provided additional contacts within their school. This networking was invaluable.

Communicating the Invitation

In my invitation emails, I included the following key points:

• Excitement and Purpose: I conveyed our excitement about inviting local students to our company and highlighted the educational benefits of the visit.
• Event Details: I shared that the tour would include group visits, prizes, giveaways, and an opportunity to try virtual welding using specialized equipment.
• Logistics: I mentioned that we would reimburse bus transportation costs, which made it easier for schools to participate.
• Career Opportunities: I emphasized the various career paths available within the steel industry, from welding and machining to engineering, accounting, and human resources.
  
  

Addressing Timing and Communication Challenges

• School Schedules: One challenge we faced was that schools didn’t start classes until after Labor Day, so our initial contact was a bit late. However, the schools were eager to participate and made it happen despite the short notice.
• Email Changes: We missed connecting with one of the biggest high schools initially because they changed their email domain. I discovered this later and updated my contact list for the following year.
  
  

Building Long-Term Relationships

• Early Invitations: This year, I reached out to our prior contacts and new schools early, asking them to save the date for our event. I knew they might not have email access over the summer, so early communication was crucial.

By taking these steps, we successfully engaged local CTE programs and provided valuable experiences for their students. Teachers appreciated the opportunity for their students to see real-world applications of their studies, potentially inspiring them to pursue careers in the steel industry.

If you’re looking to connect with local schools, I hope this guide helps you navigate the process smoothly. Happy connecting!