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How to Expand Your High School Career Development Program. Nathan Hale High School School District of West Allis-West Milwaukee. Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way. Booker T. Washington. Nathan Hale High School’s Career Academy.
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How to Expand Your High School Career Development Program Nathan Hale High School School District of West Allis-West Milwaukee
Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.Booker T. Washington
Nathan Hale High School’sCareer Academy Takes a common topic, career development, and approaches it in an uncommon way.
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
The Nathan Hale High School’s Career Academy is a Comprehensive Career Development Program that Works!
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
All Student Activities • Interest Inventories • Career Research • Job Shadowing • Career Assemblies • Mock Interviews
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
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
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
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
Tie it Together! Provide a framework
The Parent Meeting • Individual Parent/Student/Counselor Meetings • 10th and 11th grade • Academic Planning • Career Planning • Transition to life after high school
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
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
School Activity • Rationale • Acceptable activities • Student mentor • Student tutor • Club or organization • Student aide
Career-Related Community Activity • Rationale • Networking • Shadowing • Verification • Intern Program
Classroom Integration • Link to curriculum • Require activities in individual class • Resume and portfolio development • Preparation for Mock Interview Day
Staff Collaboration • Career Committee Focus Group • Classroom use • Proximity to College & Career Center • Central location • Teachers encourage student participation • Events • Career major program
Career Major Meetings • September • Job Shadow Workshop • Activity Schedule • Required courses and activities • Mid Year • Individual student update of unfinished activities • Mock interview preview
Celebration of Success! • Diploma endorsement • Transcript endorsement • Silver cords • Academic Awards Banquet (Spring)
Implementation How to start your own program
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
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
Phase 3 • Establish Career Major Program • Career Committee • Career Major Meetings • Appreciation Breakfast • Silver Cords • Diploma Endorsements • Transcript Endorsements
Making it Work! Keys to Success
Administrative & Staff Support • Principal • School Board • Staff • Career Committee • English Department
Marketing • Name the program • Create a symbol • Publicity • School calendar • Counselor newsletter • Announcements • Signs/posters
Community Partnerships • West Allis-West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce • GMR Marketing • Walgreens • MATC/WCTC • 4-year colleges & universities
Appreciation Breakfast • Staff contributions • Partner contributions • Framed certificates presented • Hot breakfast served • Student speakers provide testimonials • Student portfolios displayed
Budget/Resources • College & Career Center Aide • GMR annual contribution • Starter Kit book sales • Community contacts database • Career Committee
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