In praise of School to Career programs

Is it fair to ask a high school student what he wants to do for the rest of his life? Probably not. Most kids aren't sure of their plans a week from Saturday night.

There are exceptions, of course. Some youngsters make up their minds that they want to be doctors or lawyers before they even get to high school. But there aren't many.

While most teenagers are uncertain about their future careers, some of them at least know the field in which they want to work. For these students, the School to Career programs at Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks and Westlake high schools are exceptional. All three programs give kids a firsthand look at the professional choices that await them. (See story on page 2.)

All three of the coordinators, Mark Butzko, Kelley Stone and Laurie Looker, deserve praise for administering successful programs that make our high schools even better.

Young people enrolled in School to Career studies get to job shadow and intern at workplaces that might eventually employ them. Students also learn how to write resumes and interview for jobs.

School to Career programs aren't just for young people who want jobs after graduating. Most of them will go to college. They will, however, have a deeper understanding of the skills that they'll need for the future.

The programs aren't for everyone and would probably suffer if overburdened with too many students. The School to Career programs are already an asset to our community.

Kids who participate in School to Career find another advantage that's almost a byproduct. They discover meaningful friendships through their common experiences. By working together on team projects in smaller classrooms, they become friends.

And finding friends is beneficial to everyone, no matter where it happens.

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