English 4 students work on Client Projects throughout the year. Client projects are a way to get English 4 students real world marketing experiences that can help them throughout and after high school.

The English 4 students work with different companies and people to help them with various tasks and projects. Laura Columbatto, an English 4 teacher, is the one behind all the students helping them on their client projects.

“The purpose of the project is to allow students to develop the essential skills necessary to be a successful Ray-Pec graduate through real-world experiences,” Said Columbatto.

These client projects are able to help students tremendously on social skills and professionalism.

“The Client Connected Projects are extremely beneficial to students because it allows them to experience real world learning and establish and cultivate skills they can take with them after they graduate,” said Columbatto.

These can help students learn the basics of marketing that they can later use in the real world. Carter DeGondea, English 4 student, shares home client projects that can be beneficial to him.

”It’s helping learn the basics of marketing, basically like should they market themselves more or is it a waste of time,” said DeGondea.

They prepare for these weeks before meeting them.

“The teams spend a few weeks collaborating and getting to know each other before reaching out to their new client. They have to familiarize themselves with the project the client has given them, as well as develop some questions to prepare for their initial meeting,” said Columbatto.

After prepping is done they begin to work. English 4 students enjoy working with people outside of school.

“Honestly, I like working with new people, kind of getting outside of the school. You’re doing real life skills with people you’ve never met because we didn’t meet this guy until about two weeks ago,” said DeGondea.

Although students enjoy client projects, some parts of it can be very hard at times.

“Our biggest challenge is probably making everyone happy because not everyone has similar tastes in what they like,” said English 4 student Caroline Kelley.

Students are proud of what they accomplish.

“They take pride in their projects and when they facilitate meetings with outside community members in the absolute best! They always say they feel ‘so grown up!’” said Columbatto.