About 200 Frisco ISD students involved in the Independent Study and Mentorship (ISM) Program will meet with local business professionals on Friday, October 11.

The professionals will volunteer their time to conduct mock interviews, evaluate student resumes and help students build networking skills.

The annual event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the FISD Administration Building and Career and Technical Education Center, 5515 Ohio Drive and 9889 Wade Boulevard.

ISM is a challenging course elective designed to help prepare Frisco ISD juniors and seniors for success in college and career.

The Business Symposium is their first opportunity to interact with business professionals, ask questions and learn from their experiences.

Following the Symposium, ISM students interview community members who work in a chosen career field and then select a mentor to gain real world experience. The goal is for each student to explore a particular interest and discover his or her passion.

Over the course of the school year, students focus on original idea generation and product design, improving oral presentation skills, intense research, resume writing, business etiquette, working independently and goal setting.

The course culminates in May when students individually present their original product creation and what they have learned from their ISM experience. The hope is that students know more specifically what they would like to study at the university level.

Gifted and high-achieving high school students must first apply and interview to participate in the ISM program.

Volunteers Still Needed

• Are you interested in helping out with the ISM Business Symposium? Free lunch is provided to participating volunteers. Please contact Frisco ISD Gifted and Talented Coordinator Julie Martin at martinju@friscoisd.org or 469-633-6839 by Friday, September 27.