In the fall of 2024, the grand opening of the Indian Hill Entrepreneurs’ Center (EC) kicked off the 2024-2025 school year with a strategic plan to focus on K-12 leadership learning. With one semester in operation, the Indian Hill School District is celebrating an outstanding return on investment in the growth of one of the founding educational programs the EC oversees: IH Experienceships. This school year:
• 124 students applied to be a part of IH Experienceships so far in the 2024-25 school year, a 31% increase in applicants from this time last school year;
• 123 students and 49 partners attended Global Week Business at Breakfast, the largest attendance ever;
• 98 Indian Hill High School students who have had their meetings with mentor coaches and successfully completed the onboarding course and are actively seeking job shadow or internship opportunities.
As the program continues to expand, so do the opportunities for in-depth leadership learning. Indian Hill High School IH Experienceships Student Leaders Charlie Warfel, Brandon Yang, Sophie Qiao, Samantha Kayne, Caroline Brown, Bryce Hogan, Neelan Gandhi, Sophie Tindale, Ethan Sargeant, and Derek Zee
experienced University of Cincinnati Career Madness on Thursday, January 23, at the University of Cincinnati 1819 center.
“This event positions our students at a significant advantage as they explore careers,” said Indian Hill Director of K-12 Leadership and Career Development Jeff Damadeo. “The program offered a valuable combination of skill-building and networking opportunities designed to strengthen their preparedness for the professional world.”
Students participated in technical workshops to sharpen their skills, mock job interviews with personalized insights to identify areas for growth, and professional headshots to create a polished image.
“Beyond these practical skills, students also learned the importance of applying an entrepreneurial mindset to their career journey, recognizing the need for innovation and adaptability in today's market,” added Damadeo. “This event provided essential career insights and one-on-one interview practice with industry executives, giving our students a real edge as they navigate the competitive job market.”
“I learned how critical it is to leverage and clarify my unique value proposition to any internship or job I'm applying for,” said Indian Hill High School student Samantha Kayne. “I gained critical interview tips which will help guide my responses to behavioral questions so they are direct and insightful about my personality.”
“I learned a lot about building and maintaining a network, what common interview processes look like, and different strategies to answer interview questions,” added Indian Hill High School student Sophie Tindale.
“This experience was truly invaluable for our students' career development,” said IH Experienceships Coordinator Lauren Richardson. “It offered a unique chance to bridge the gap between their academic journey and the professional world, giving them a real taste of what lies ahead. I'm passionate about finding these kinds of transformative opportunities for our Indian Hill students – experiences that not only equip them with practical skills but also ignite their passion for future careers and give them a real edge as they pursue their dreams.”
Photo caption: IH Experienceships Student Leaders and IH Experienceship's Coordinator Lauren Richardson at UC's Career Madness.