The United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County held a College Fair and Mock Interview event Dec. 4 at the Goleta Boys & Girls Club Sal Rodriguez Unit.

Organized by Manny Murillo, the College & Career Bound Program coordinator, the event brought together 22 club members and 10 Rotarians from the Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Sunrise Rotary clubs to prepare the youth for their next steps toward a brighter future.

Highlighting the day were the mock interviews that offered a chance for members to engage in realistic, face-to-face interview experiences.

The simulated job interviews let participants practice answering common questions, develop confidence, and receive personalized feedback from professionals across various career paths.

“The greatest benefit of the mock interviews is that they help our members become more confident in their abilities and help them recognize their strengths,” Murillo said. “Receiving constructive feedback from professionals provides an edge that can make a significant difference in their future careers.”

“It was so fun meeting these amazing young people and helping them with their interviewing skills,” said Santa Barbara Rotarian Kirk Greene and event participant. “I was remarkably impressed with their maturity, enthusiasm, and commitment to education. Interviewing them gave me renewed confidence in our future.

“This is another great example of the wonderful work the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County does to support kids. Hats off to Manny Murillo, the College & Career Bound Program coordinator, for his dedication to these students.”

The College Fair and Mock Interviews are part of the Club’s College & Career Bound Program, which is dedicated to guiding youth toward educational and professional achievements.

Through partnerships with local organizations like Rotary, the program creates impactful moments that prepare members for life beyond the classroom.

For more about UBGC’s College & Career Bound Program, contact Murillo at Mmurillo@unitedbg.org.