Northville Central’s Career Majors Program Prepares Students for Workforce
adirondack studies, arts & humanities, business & information systems, career majors, education, harry brooks, health services, northville central school district, workforce,
Students eager to put their academic skills into action are flocking to Northville Central School District’s Career Majors program.
The program is designed to show students the connection between high school and the real world‚ according to Superintendent Harry Brooks.
“We want to help students understand not just about [standardized] tests but what comes after school‚” Brooks says. “These students are entering high school with a greater expectation of meaningful study.”
Starting in eighth grade‚ students may choose one of eight elective interest areas‚ including Business & Information Systems‚ Health Services and Arts & Humanities.
“We give examples of careers on three levels‚” Brooks says. “We understand that not all students will want to go into post-graduate studies.”
Health-care careers‚ for example‚ include home health aides‚ nurses and pharmacists.
The program’s newest addition is Adirondack Studies‚ which will be offered in 2007 for students in this rural school district.
“Many students choose to live and work here‚ and they think employment is limited to service and logging jobs‚” Brooks says.
Through partnerships with local and state agencies‚ the district plans to introduce students to careers in eco-tourism‚ environmental science and surveying.
“We expect that to be a highly popular program‚” Brooks says.
The district formed matriculation agreements with area colleges so students can earn college credits while still in high school‚ giving them an economic boost as well as the opportunity to envision themselves as college students.
In 10th grade‚ students can enroll in a two-pronged career and financial management course. Here‚ they prepare a career-plan portfolio‚ including an inventory of their interests. They research careers in their area of interest and conduct a college search. The course‚ which continues in 12th grade‚ includes training in writing resumes and cover letters as well as preparation for college fairs and interviews.
In grades 11 and 12‚ students may participate in the internship portion of the program‚ giving them a real-world introduction to their job interests. Brooks says the district’s long-term goal is to have every student in the Career Majors program complete 50 to 100 hours of an off-site‚ professional internship.
The program also addresses personal finance and basic job skills.
“They’re not just equipped in academics but also learn what careers are and what goes into a successful career‚” Brooks says.
In addition to preparing students for individual success‚ Brooks says‚ the district hopes the program ultimately will be a valuable contribution to the community as well.
“Our area’s greatest resource is the students we are sending out to the workforce‚” he says. “Our existing employers’ success depends on the people who are doing work for them.”
Story by Leanne Libby
Photo by Michael W. Bunch
