Programs enable students to decide their college or career paths

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers GOOD ADVICE-Johanna Gonzalez, 16, front right, and Lindsay Lucas, 16, center, listen to Susan Turner, left, from Turner Healthcare Associates, Inc. discuss opportunities in the health care field. The two, both juniors, are part of a program at Thousand Oaks High School that helps students make choices about future careers. Some local high school students aren't waiting until college to make career choices. The School to Career program at Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks and Westlake high schools helps students discover their passions, skills and interests and translate them into a college major and career.

"We want to help them figure out what they want to do before they get to college," said Mark Butzko, School to Career coordinator at Thousand Oaks High.

Through a tailored curriculum, guest speakers, internships, job shadowing and special events, students study various professions firsthand. They also learn leadership skills, resume writing and interviewing techniques.

"This program is an incredibly valuable opportunity," said Kelley Stone, NPHS School to Career coordinator. "I know people I went to college with who are very bright who went head on into careers they thought they wanted to do. One friend went into law and now says, 'I do not want to do this.'"

Students can switch to a different program if their interests change.

"It's good if a student finds out there's something they don't want to do because they can cross it off the list," Butzko said.

Each school has its own fulltime coordinator and unique program, although the three coordinators work together, meeting monthly to share information. At WHS 120 students out of the 2,200 student body are enrolled in the program. More than 320 of 2,000 NPHS students are enrolled. And of the 2,600 students at Thousand Oaks High School, 350 are in the program.

Career search is not limited to those in the School to Career program. The Majors Program is offered to all students as an extracurricular choice, with no required courses. Several hundred belong to such on-campus clubs as Future Business Leaders, Future Medical Professionals or Future Teachers of America. The clubs meet twice a month at lunch and activities include guest speakers, discussion of related issues, job shadowing and field trips.

"It gives career exploration opportunities on campus without having to make a big commitment," said Westlake High School coordinator Laurie Looker.

The School to Career program is a state initiative designed to create smaller learning communities on high school campuses, according to Butzko. The idea originated in Philadelphia in the late 1960s and began in California in the early '80s. There are nearly 300 funded programs throughout the state.

The program began in the three local high schools six years ago. Westlake and Newbury Park high schools receive a grant from the state Department of Education for the program. TOHS is on a waiting list for the grant. All three schools also receive funding from Conejo Unified School District.

School to Career is a formal, structured program that students must apply for. In the spring, during regular registration for the following school year, they fill out an application and obtain a recommendation letter from a teacher, pastor or guidance counselor. It takes initiative on the part of the student to get in, Butzko said.

The program is organized into academies focusing on such areas as health science, art/communications/entertainment, business and information technology, engineering and industrial technology, and public and human services. Students enrolled in a particular academy are grouped together in classes. The curriculum is tailored to emphasize that academy's field of specialty. Teachers within an academy meet weekly to discuss how to link the curriculum to that particular industry.

"Students get to know the teachers and each other very well," Looker said. "We try to create a close-knit atmosphere."

Students at all three schools begin the program as freshmen. They're given an overview of various professions to help them figure out what they might be interested in, according to Butzko. Guest speakers representing those professions visit the classrooms and talk about their jobs, what they do and how they got there.

"Through these speakers, students realize there are hundreds of careers out there," Butzko said.

In their sophomore year, all WHS students in the program job shadow. As juniors they're matched with a mentor in the business community to do a more in-depth job shadow, learning about the company, the industry in general, what skills and education are needed, what the outlook for that occupation is, as well as interview skills and resume preparation. Seniors do an internship or work part-time in their field of interest.

At NPHS freshmen participate in a quarterly mini career-choices fair. They come in business dress as if going on an interview. Several professionals come to the school to talk to students about their jobs and to offer advice.

The program is beneficial to all students, Butzko said, whether they're honors students or others who've decided not to go to college. At least one guest speaker visits the campus every week, with many local companies participating. Butzko is always looking for businesses interested in providing speakers as well as internships for students.

Job and internship opportunities are posted, but students must go out and find their own positions. Juniors and seniors in the program finish school between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. and work or intern as teacher's aides, in medical and legal offices, in fire departments and in other capacities.

"Some students enjoy their internships so much they get hired for part-time work by employees," Butzko said.

The school district will honor the 125 graduating seniors from the three schools who've completed the program.

"It's really nice for the students and the program to get this recognition," said Looker. "It's

very rewarding to see students take what they've learned and put it to practical use."