• 2025-2026 Rising Professionals Seminar will be

    October 28, 2025 @ West Ridge. 

     

  • Thank you to our 14th Annual Rising Professionals Seminar Sponsors!
14th Annual Rising Professionals

  • Session Presenters

    Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ryan Dyer, NPHS Athletic Director

    Career Canvas: Brannon Baxter, MTI; Jeremy Whitaker, CW Matthews;Annee Stone, CTC; SFC Corey Collins, GA Army National Guard

    Dress for Success: Ashley Sanders, Atrium Health Floyd

    Head Shots: PCSD Communications Department

    Interviewing: Yolanda Newell, Paulding NW ATL Airport

    Money Matters: Cristina Sims, Go Energy Financial CU

    Interviewers: Al Abernathy, WorkSource GA; Boyd Monk, Ansley Real Estate;Christina Henggeler, Georgia Highlands; Eddie Fincher, Members FirstCredit Union; Patty Wenck, Wenck Travel; Salik Johnson, Synovus;Stephanie Patton, United Talent Staffing; Tracy Sellars, PCSDScience/Health/PE; Yamile Swearingen, Interroll Atlanta

    Networking: Courtney Laird, Shaw Industries

    Team Building: Andrea Woodward, NOTS Logistics

    Branding/LinkedIn: Brooke Brumbelow, Floyd Co Public Relations

    Videography: Spartan Video Productions

  • 13th Annual Rising Professionals Seminar

    On November 13, 2023, over 550 students attended WBL's 13th Annual Rising Professionals Seminar.  A huge THANK YOU to West Ridge for hosting us and to all of our sponsors.  We had a packed agenda for our students, including the employability skill sessions below.

    Keynote Speaker         Mrs. Vicki Lee Brown, Visions Life Coaching

    Exploring Options       Jeremy Whitaker, CW Matthews; Bob Bradley, Mechanical Contractors of GA; Annee Stone, CTC

    Dress for Success        Beth Carey, Author/Speaker

    Head Shots                   Greg Hannon, PCSD Communications

    Money Matters            Michelle Stubbs, HHS Admin

    Team Building             Todd Hampton & Sawyer Strickland, West Ridge Youth

    Who's Watching You   Leon Bowers, PCCA Cybersecurity

    Videography                 Spartan Video Productions

    Interviewing                 David Webber, GreyStone Power

    Interviewers                 Angela Sparks, Georgia Promise Partnership; Angelia Farries, Paulding BOC; Angie Holland, Members First Credit Union; Boyd Monk, Ansley Real Estate; Christina Henggeler, Georgia Highlands; Patty Wenck, Wenck Travel; Terry Tibbitts, Paulding NW Atlanta Airport; Salik Johnson, Synovus; Yolanda Newell, Paulding NW Atlanta Airport

    If you would like to participate in our future events, please contact Monica Rydza mrydza@paulding.k12.ga.us 

    Check out our video from the event WBL Promo Vid youtube 2023.mp4 

     

  • 12th Annual Rising Professionals Conference

    Paulding County’s Work-Based Learning (WBL) students participated in the 12th annual Rising Professionals event. On January 31, 2023 over 500 WBL students from all five high schools met at West Ridge Church and participated in seven employability skills sessions. Michelle Stubbs from Hiram High School led a Money Matters session packed with credit scores, types of banking accounts, savings, credit card dangers and much more. Angela Sparks from Marietta College & Career Academy gave vital interviewing advice before each student participated in a group interview. Close to ten business partners in the community held "auditions" for students which allowed them to experience a group interview.  Kelly Smith and Terrance Coursey from KSU led a session on fashion in the workplace. They covered a multitude of information including appropriate attire for work and off the clock.  Kimberly Denton with Shaw Industries led a fun packed team building session where students used their communication skills to perform a task together.  Robin Stern from ILMG Advertising led a session on Social Media to stress importance of what you do now impacts your future. Joseph Estep from CW Matthews and Bob Bradley from Mechanical Contractors of GA held a session on the different apprenticeships that are available.  G&E Studios took head shots of the students to be used in their portfolios. Our motivational speaker, Marquis Hill whom is an early graduate of South Paulding High school spoke to students about being involved in their community and making a difference in the lives of others.  He spoke about his successes and struggles as a young entrepreneur through his company, Genius Pilot Academy.  WBL students learned a great deal from all the sessions and will use the information to stand out in their current and future workplace.

    If you are interested in presenting or sponsoring Rising Professionals, please contact mrydza@paulding.k12.ga.us