As many of us look at it, high school is essentially the final step to prepare us for college, universities, etc., especially when looking at careers we want to pursue in the near future. We look at classes presented to us and map out which electives and courses are best fit to steer us students towards a “path of success”.
Starting off with a general range of classes, students are able to receive an education tied with real-world experiences to become better prepared for the workforce and the skills required for certain careers. To work towards fostering well-rounded students, schools around the nation develop career pathway programs that aid students in planning for their future chosen field(s). They typically offer a range of learning opportunities, allowing students to branch out their interests, learn and build essential skills, and experience practical scenarios necessary for life beyond high school.
Warren’s career pathway programs are still in early development and liable to change, but our district does have existing programs to start students off in thinking about their careers as early as freshman year in high school. If you’re unsure about how to plan your career roadmap, Ms. McGhann, one of Warren’s College and Career counselors, highly recommends heading to the website Maia Learning and taking their multiple self-assessments to learn more about your academic and career interests. Even if you’re not set on a specific career path, the teachers of Project Lead the Way suggest getting a part-time job when you’re eligible. They believe that it will “benefit you in the long run” academically while teaching you how to balance work and school life. At this point, you’re already building up work credits and stabilizing financially little by little as well.
Warren does their best to provide a wide variety of course options, though Mr. Geocaris admits it’s still a gray area in our school. That doesn’t mean our instructional staff members aren’t working to provide more clarity onto that, as there’s supposed hope for change starting this year and onward. Our College and Career counselors collaborate with outside employers and colleges to find internships and work experiences that could be helpful for students. Teachers also occasionally bring in guest speakers and experts in certain academic departments as a way to increase the interest for a specific career pathway.
Although these efforts primarily target the business, tech, and post-secondary departments, Warren’s staff is working hard to expand such opportunities for all students.
Clubs and extracurricular activities can also help open doors for students to further explore their career interests. We have career-specific clubs such as Science Olympiad, FDA (Future Doctors of America), and other niche interest groups that take place after-school. New club information can be found on the announcements/Warren Activities Page, where you can learn more about these extracurricular organizations and connect with like-minded peers.
You can also consider vocational careers paths such as working as a electrician, plumber, mechanic, and not go to a college/university right away. You may not need higher education altogether, as 28% of recent high school graduates are working jobs that only require a high school diploma, according to Resume Builder. This might be the “easier”, less stressful pathway for some or most students. Warren’s Tech Campus program is inclusive of vocational careers and provides resources that prepare students for various internships and careers post-graduation.
