Savannah Staffing Firm Simulates Hiring Process for Students

(L-R) David “Fish” Mihuta – Freightliner of Savannah Brendan Ferrara – Savannah Technical College Billy Robinson – Port City Logistics Pat Yovich – First Class Marketing Solutions McLeod Rominger – Colonial Oil Danica Grone – DSI Companies Lee Whitley – Matson Logistics Heather Alkire – Urgent Care 24/7 Dr. Barbara Prosser – Effingham College & Career Academy Right Photo: Kym Hogan of Sticky Fingers Catering, Tammy Monroe of Matson Logistics, Martha Sullivan of Sullivan's Staffing

Student hiring for candidates wishing to pursue careers in the logistics industry has been taken to a new level. High school students were able to begin paid internships on Monday, March 18, with the help of Sullivan’s Staffing, who partnered with the Maritime Logistics Education Task Force (MLET), known for their successful “Follow the Container” project. The task force business partners wanted high school students to experience the entire hiring process, as if they were applying for a job after graduation.

Under the visionary leadership of David Mihuta, 30 applicants were narrowed down to 12 students, who are all college or technical school candidates.  Each student was selected to participate in the MLET program from Savannah area high schools, including Jenkins, Groves, Johnson, and Woodville-Tompkins.

In order to complete the real world experience, two days were set aside by volunteer business professionals on the task force to prepare the students for jobs and interviews.  Pat Yovich, a Business Educator, Developer and Wellness Coach, led the class through a series of soft skills, including how to write a cover letter and resume, as well as what to say and do in an interview.

One on one mock interview sessions were then held with over 15 human resource professionals representing the USCG Marine Safety Unit, U.S. Coast Guard, Sullivan’s Staffing, Georgia Ports, TICO, Sticky Fingers, Port City Logistics, MetroPorts, Matson Logistics, and JIT Warehousing and Logistics.

One task force member, Image Hotels, went one step further by gathering proper business attire so the students could “look the part”.

Martha Sullivan and Kim Jones of Sullivan’s Staffing walked each student through the application process, which included establishing references, completing a skills test, background check, and even a drug test. Each corresponding employer was then set up with an optional web time clock to track time for the student.

Each student will work after school in paid internships for five days a week, four hours per day, for a 10-week period at participating logistics companies including Port City Logistics, Matson Logistics, United Arab Shipping Co., John S. James Co., JIT Warehousing, JCB Inc., HWC Logistics, DAMCO, CLG Coastal Logistics Group and Alliance Customs Clearance.

About MLET 

The Maritime Logistics Education Taskforce (MLET) was formed in partnership with the Propeller Club-Port of Savannah, Savannah Traffic Club, Savannah Maritime Association, IFFCBA, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and the Navy League Savannah Council. It is the mission of MLET to reach, educate and grow the current and future workforce of the logistics and maritime industry in Savannah and surrounding coastal areas. The team is made up of passionate professionals who want to inspire the youth of today and inform them about the wealth of career opportunities surrounding waterfront trade. These professionals donate their time and resources to develop and implement programs to help students understand “What is Logistics?”