February 2018: Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month
WHS highlights student experiences after 1st semester of new Career Exploration Opportunities (CEOs) Program; New partnerships planned for 2018-2019!
Launch the media gallery 1 playerIn honor of National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, here is an update on the Career Exploration Opportunities (CEOs) Program happening right here in Wahoo!
The development of the program began in November of 2017. Wahoo High School has been making connections with local businesses to provide an amazing workplace experience for our high school seniors to give them a glimpse into possible future careers. In the spring of 2017, we selected five students to participate in this unique opportunity. Three students were selected by JEO, Inc., and two students were matched with Saunders Medical Center (SMC) for their CEOs program internship.
WHS senior Ryan Ickler spent eight weeks over the summer learning about the various career opportunities at JEO, Inc. in the fields of engineering and architecture. WHS senior Kristin Callan spent last semester learning about the business side of JEO, Inc., with a specific focus on marketing. WHS senior Sarah Iversen was at SMC last semester learning every aspect of the medical field, including the clinic and therapy departments, ER, long-term care, pharmacy, as well as the behind-the-scenes business and maintenance areas.
This semester we have three students enrolled in the CEOs program. WHS senior Caleb Groff is at JEO, Inc. two days per week, and WHS senior Mary Pockrandt is at SMC three days per week. We recently added a new CEOs program experience this semester and formed a partnership with the Wahoo Newspaper. WHS senior Katie Pearson is spending five days per week learning what it takes to have a career in the field of journalism and communications.
Students are selected for the CEOs program through an application and interview process. During the program, students are responsible for communicating schedule conflicts with their site supervisors, and only report on the designated days that school is in session, with flexibility for special experiences. On days that they do not report to their program site, students are at school working on their portfolios and capstone projects, which are presented to the school board at the completion of their programs.
The CEOs program is growing again for the 2018-19 school year, with three additional partnerships! We have added an opportunity for students to learn about careers in agriculture and natural resources through a partnership with the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District (LPNNRD). Students who are interested in education, administration, coaching, and/or professional support services can be a part of the Wahoo Public Schools program. Our partnership with Sid Dillon will allow students to explore careers in the automotive industry.
Our partnerships with local businesses have been an amazing opportunity for students to get real-world experience prior to graduation, allowing them to either confirm or reassess their future career paths. We are so proud of each of these students for being selected and how well they represent our school, these businesses, and themselves!
If you, or your company, are interested in partnering with Wahoo High School for future programs, please contact CEOs Coordinator Shannon Hauswald at shauswald@wahoowarriors.org for more information. Increase your community impact and the future of your industry by educating and exposing high school students to their potential career!
NEBRASKA CAREER EDUCATION MODEL
Nebraska careers are organized in six career fields. The six fields include the 16 Career Clusters, which group careers that involve similar work. Explore the model by clicking on the image below:
