The Event:
Calling all of Boise’s youth! Join the Idaho Black History Museum for a networking-style event that offers all 5th-12th grade students an opportunity to meet and conduct exploratory interviews with members of Boise’s professional community.
What is networking through exploratory interviews?
Networking is the process of interacting with others with the purpose of exchanging information and develop professional and social contacts. Networking pairs well with exploratory interviews, which are informal conversations with professionals in a field or industry you are interested. Exploratory interviews, also known as informational interviews, are excellent ways to ask questions, obtain information, and gain advice about a certain career. The event is framed as a
networking event and requires participants to actively engage with the professionals through exploratory interviews.
Here’s some more information and advice on exploratory (informational) interviewing from Boise State’s Career Services: https://www.boisestate.edu/career/virtual-career-center/informational-interviewing/
What to expect from the event?
Like all networking events, the opportunity to meet new people is at the core of this event. In an hour-long session, students will be introduced to a variety of professionals that represent diverse sectors of Boise’s professional community. Upon arrival, participants will sign in and receive their packet (age-appropriate packets will be distributed). Packets will include a scavenger-like hunt for students to complete as they engage and ask questions of the professionals. The goal of the scavenger hunt is for students to be encouraged to ask a variety of questions of the professionals and hopefully provide a framework to guide them through their interactions. Once the event commences, the professionals will provide a brief introduction of themselves, which will be followed by dividing students into small groups. Each group will have five minutes with the professional to introduce themselves and ask at least one question each. After five minutes has passed, the group of students will be directed to the next professional, where they will follow the same process.
What is expected from you?
Like other networking-style events, it is up to the participants to take initiative and engage with the professionals. Prior to attending, we ask that you complete your registration. The registration will help prepare you for your introduction and learn how to introduce yourself in a way that is concise and memorable—two skills that are important for networking.
We hope that this event attracts a wide age range, so we know that a highschoolers experience and takeaways will be different from those of someone in elementary school. Regardless of age, the event will be a great experience for any student to be exposed to various professionals in Boise, holding true to the museum’s belief that all people, regardless of age and background, should have access to employment and educational opportunities.
Why attend?
The event strives to create an accessible, low-stake environment for Boise’s youth to interact with the city’s professional community. The professionals in attendance will illustrate the myriad of jobs that help make Boise the city that it is. Beyond engaging with professionals, students will have the opportunity to gain valuable networking experience and communication skills. The event will offer students the chance to learn how to engage with not only their peers but others outside their close circle, promoting the importance of community engagement at any age. Even for those years away from the job market, we believe it is important to highlight the employment and educational opportunities available to them at a young age, hopefully inspiring them as they continue their education.
How does the event align with the museum’s mission?
The Idaho Black History Museum (IBHM) seeks to craft a nuanced narrative of the Black experience and history in Idaho. The museum’s permanent exhibit, Invisible Idahoan 2.0, argues that access to employment, ability to own property, and integrated education created a Black experience in Idaho that was counter to the national narrative. The IBHM strives to uphold these three tenants—education, employment, and property—by offering accessible experiences for the public that that foster learning and growth, specifically in relation to the three tenants.
The networking event is part of a larger event series hosted by the IBHM that encourages Boise’s youths to develop life skills in an accessible, kid-friendly way. The events will expose students to a variety of educational and professional options, develop savvy financial habits, build a network of supporters, and overall learn to engage with and give back to their communities.
Brief narrative for press:
Join the Idaho Black History Museum for a networking-style event that offers 5th-12th grade students an opportunity to meet and conduct exploratory interviews with prominent members of Boise’s professional community. Networking pairs well with exploratory interviews, which are informal conversations with professionals in a field or industry you are interested in. Exploratory interviews, also known as informational interviews, are excellent ways to ask questions, obtain information, and gain advice about a certain career. The event strives to create an accessible, low-stake environment for Boise’s youth to interact with the city’s professional community. The Idaho Black History Museum (IBHM) seeks to craft a nuanced narrative of the Black experience and history in Idaho. The museum’s permanent exhibit, Invisible Idahoan 2.0,argues that access to employment, ability to own property, and integrated education created a Black experience in Idaho that was counter to the national narrative. The IBHM strives to uphold these three tenants—education, employment, and property—by offering experiences for the public that foster learning and growth, specifically in relation to the three tenants. The networking event is part of a larger event series hosted by the IBHM that encourages Boise’s youths to develop life skills in an accessible, kid-friendly way. The events will expose students to a variety of educational and professional options, develop savvy financial habits, build a network of supporters, and overall learn to engage with and give back to their communities.