For any student, picking a career is tough. It determines your future.
From Freshman to Senior year, students struggle to find a career that totally interests them. Oftentimes, students bounce back and forth between different careers.
To aid this agonizing process, the Guidance Office has introduced a new series called the “Career Spotlight.”
The “Career Spotlight” puts a new twist on the traditional job shadowing experience. It brings the workforce inside the classroom.
Mrs. Smith, guidance counselor and coordinator of the “Career Spotlight,” said, “Knowledge is power. We’re trying to give them [students] enough knowledge about the professions as possible. I want to give options to students.”
Professional speakers from different careers will come in and talk to students. A max of 45 students can sign up for each session. The sessions will be held in Room M429.
Most of the sessions will take place during Eighth period. Mrs. Smith wanted the Steel Center students to have an opportunity to sign up. She also did not want to cut into lunch periods.
Topics will range from job information, education, employer expectations, and rewards.
Mrs. Smith said, “Students can’t just look at the money. You have to think about every day. When you go to work, are you going to be happy? No amount of money is going to make you happy if you hate getting up doing what you’re doing every day.”
Careers highlighted will range from accounting to real estate to engineering to pharmacy and even internal medicine.
“Some people aren’t meant for college,” Mrs. Smith said. “Speakers without four year degrees will also speak.”
A veterinary technician, pharmacy technician, carpenter, dental hygienist, and cosmetologist will speak.
The community is rallying together to educate the youth. Most of the professionals live in Bethel Park.
Spokeswoman Mrs. Flotta sent out an email blast about the new “Career Spotlight” series.
Mrs. Smith said, “We had a really great response from the community. We are really using the community as our resource. It’s really cost effective instead of paying people to come in. They’re just volunteering their time.”
The new “Career Spotlight” series will provide critical information for students. Students will be able to use speakers’ personal experiences to make informed decisions.
The guidance office is hitting a home run, as they are setting up students for success.
For more information on the “Career Spotlight” series and for the schedule of speakers, please visit the Counseling page on the District Site: http://www.bpsd.org/protected/ArticleView.aspx?iid=6GABABY&dasi=3IY0
