How to Expand Your High School Career Development Program

1. How to Expand Your High School Career Development Program Nathan Hale High School School District of West Allis-West Milwaukee

2. Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.Booker T. Washington

3. Nathan Hale High School’sCareer Academy Takes a common topic, career development, and approaches it in an uncommon way.

4. Why Should School Districts Consider Comprehensive Career Development Programs? To expose all students, 9-12, to a broad range of careers and career related activities in a consistent manner To empower students to make informed choices about careers prior to selecting post secondary options To best prepare students for success beyond the high school doors

5. The Nathan Hale High School’s Career Academy is a Comprehensive Career Development Program that Works!

6. Components of the Nathan Hale High School Career Academy • All students participate • It is supported through the school curriculum • It is supported by a Career Committee of staff members from across content areas • It partners with local businesses and organizations • It is recognized as a vital component of our school community and culture

7. All Student Activities • Interest Inventories • Career Research • Job Shadowing • Career Assemblies • Mock Interviews

8. Curriculum-Based • 9th grade • Success Highways Curriculum (8 lessons) • Social Studies and Math classes (4 lessons each) • 10th Grade • Wisconsin Career Assessment • Career research • Compare/contrast career essay assignment

9. Job Shadowing • Rationale • Snapshot of a day on the job • Credible source regarding education and training requirements, job responsibilities • Networking opportunity for summer job, internship, or permanent position • Procedures • Job Shadow Workshops • Forms

10. Career Assembly • Rationale • Format • Monthly event • 4-5 career speakers per event • Individuals present for 10-12 minutes • Procedures • Sign-up • Passes • Student evaluation form

11. Mock Interviews • Rationale • Format • Cafeteria • 15-20 minute interview • Interview with professional from related career • Procedures • Sign up • Pass to attend with report time • Evaluation

12. Tie it Together! Provide a framework

13. The Parent Meeting • Individual Parent/Student/Counselor Meetings • 10th and 11th grade • Academic Planning • Career Planning • Transition to life after high school

14. Career Major Program • Required to complete 14 career-related requirements • Student, parent, school counselor, and faculty representative sign contract • Requirement check-off sheet • Verify interest • Saves student time and money

15. Employability Skills and Portfolio Workshop • Guest speakers present on the following topics: • Job search • Application • Resume writing • Portfolio • Helps organize and prepare for interview • Evidence of skills and accomplishments

16. School Activity • Rationale • Acceptable activities • Student mentor • Student tutor • Club or organization • Student aide

17. Career-Related Community Activity • Rationale • Networking • Shadowing • Verification • Intern Program

18. Classroom Integration • Link to curriculum • Require activities in individual class • Resume and portfolio development • Preparation for Mock Interview Day

19. Staff Collaboration • Career Committee Focus Group • Classroom use • Proximity to College & Career Center • Central location • Teachers encourage student participation • Events • Career major program

20. Career Major Meetings • September • Job Shadow Workshop • Activity Schedule • Required courses and activities • Mid Year • Individual student update of unfinished activities • Mock interview preview

21. Celebration of Success! • Diploma endorsement • Transcript endorsement • Silver cords • Academic Awards Banquet (Spring)

22. Implementation How to start your own program

23. Phase 1 • Start-up • Administrative support • Energetic coordinator/leader • Budget (paper and copying) • Career Committee • Staff buy-in • One member of from each department • Career Assessments • Job Shadowing • Career Assemblies

24. Phase 2 • Career/Academic Counseling Sessions • Parent meeting with school counselor • Individual, one-on-one meetings most effective • Large group meeting also possible • Mock Interviews • One day event • Helps build network of community contacts • Employability Skills & Portfolio Workshop • 2-3 hour event • Follow up required

25. Phase 3 • Establish Career Major Program • Career Committee • Career Major Meetings • Appreciation Breakfast • Silver Cords • Diploma Endorsements • Transcript Endorsements

26. Making it Work! Keys to Success

27. Administrative & Staff Support • Principal • School Board • Staff • Career Committee • English Department

28. Marketing • Name the program • Create a symbol • Publicity • School calendar • Counselor newsletter • Announcements • Signs/posters

29. Community Partnerships • West Allis-West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce • GMR Marketing • Walgreens • MATC/WCTC • 4-year colleges & universities

30. Appreciation Breakfast • Staff contributions • Partner contributions • Framed certificates presented • Hot breakfast served • Student speakers provide testimonials • Student portfolios displayed

31. Budget/Resources • College & Career Center Aide • GMR annual contribution • Starter Kit book sales • Community contacts database • Career Committee

32. Question & Answer Session

33. Contact Information Kathy MacDonald, Principal, 414-604-3211 MacdK@wawm.k12.wi.us Nate Rice, School Counselor, 414-604-3225 RiceN@wawm.k12.wi.us