— It can be hard for area high school students with an eye toward their college education to get one-on-one interaction with school officials.

The Eastern Workforce Investment Board is offering them the next best thing.

A new EWIB program designed to allow students to get more specific information about schools they’d like to attend is under way.

“A lot of times when there’s college or school fairs, you have all these schools lined up in a row,” said Dana Minnick, youth coordinator with EWIB. “The students don’t have a lot of time to talk with so many people around, so most kids just end up grabbing the freebies and leaving.”

Minnick said the EWIB’s Youth Resource Room will host a series meetings this month designed to give students an opportunity to learn more about their career options.

“This way it can be real specific,” Minnick said. “So they’re not exactly getting one-on-one instruction, but they’re getting more specific information than they would have otherwise.”

Bacone started off the program Wednesday, with a recruiter stationed in the youth room, ready to go with handouts and information.

“A lot of kids that maybe have never considered college or are considering it for the first time just have no idea where to even start asking questions,” said Kindle Holderby, a Bacone recruiter. “Today I’m just trying to give kids a place to start, and trying to tell them what kind of things Bacone can offer them.”

Executive Director Nanette Robertson said the Youth Resource Room gives the EWIB the opportunity to do more outreach type programs for area students.

“We’re trying to offer things to help get kids off the streets and in here,” Robertson said. “It’s not really a place just to come hang out, but if they want to get out of the heat or out of the cold and want to be productive with their time, we’re available.”

Robertson said the office offers students information on schools, jobs, careers, resume planning — all things vital to their development.

“When I was a teenager, I didn’t know what to do or where to even go for this type of information,” Robertson said. “A lot of kids may want to know this stuff and they just don’t know where to go find it.”

Richard Dybward, 19, and Jean Maxwell, 18, were two prospective students who spoke to Holderby. Dybward said his passion was music, and Holderby gave him information about Bacone’s music programs.

Maxwell said she came in to get information.

“I’m just trying to get a start,” Maxwell said. “I’m ready now to start something.”

Reach Dylan Goforth at (918) 684-2903 or dgoforth

@muskogeephoenix.com.

If you go

WHAT: Your Education Success (Y.E.S.) meeting.

WHERE: Youth Resource Room, Eastern Workforce Investment Board, 717 S. 32nd St.   

WHEN: 2 p.m. Tuesday.

ADMISSION: Free.

ETC.: Youth ages 14-21 are invited to hear a representative from area colleges speak about programs offered by their schools.

INFO: (918) 683-8553.

SCHEDULE:

Tuesday — Indian Capital Technology Center.

Thursday — Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee.

Oct. 22 — Connors State College.

Oct. 24 — Job Corps.