Kris Dykstra, Charlotte High School guidance counselor, arrived in Charlotte in 2001. And it took her only days to become the district’s number one champion of the Career Pathways program.

“Career Pathways is such a positive program,” she says. “And it’s become such a part of what everyone does. The staff understands how important the program is, so incorporating it just comes naturally to them. As a result, I think we’re ahead
of many districts in Career Pathway implementation.”

As a result of the district’s 1999 Lighthouse designation, Charlotte has introduced four major initiatives to supplement their career preparation efforts.

Student-led conferences were introduced at the high school in a pilot program during the 2001–02 school year. Parent-teacher conferences continued to be held arena-style in the gym four times a year. But under the new program, some of the teachers stayed in their classrooms where students led the discussions and shared their semester’s experiences with the aid of materials they developed in preparation for the conference.

“Students don’t only show their best work, but all work that demonstrates their semester’s progress,” explains Dykstra.

Classroom presentations last approximately 15 minutes and are facilitated by the teacher. While block scheduling and the numerous curriculum offerings are a challenge, the effort has been enthusiastically received.

A second initiative involved the establishment of a Career Lab. Located adjacent to the guidance office, the 15-station computer lab offers several career preparation learning programs, including MOIS and BRIDGES. Many students use the lab to access on-line Michigan Virtual High School courses. Students can also access their on-line EDPs and perform career searches. In addition, extensive resources and directories are available in the guidance office career prep library.

A third innovation is the development and implementation of Freshman Connections, a nine-week required course to assist students in exploring and developing career interests and opportunities.
The course starts with a week of career assessment activities followed by two weeks of character education and employability skills. This year classes are reading Sean Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Successful Teens.

The next four weeks focus on career exploration with an emphasis on the six Career Pathways, using Career Lab resources. Meanwhile, students are also working on their on-line EDPs and portfolios. Their efforts culminate in researching and writing a formal research paper and developing a Powerpoint presentation. Exceptional efforts are presented to school board members and staff.

In addition to these three major initiatives, daily activities continue to support career preparation efforts. “The staff is motivated by student needs and interests and it just naturally promotes cooperation in support of the program,” says Dykstra.

This year, ten teachers are participating in the externship program, and student participation in portfolio and EDP development is 100 percent. Last fall, Charlotte, in partnership with Grand Ledge and Waverly Schools, hosted a College Night designed to provide information to parents and students about post-high school continuing education. More than 200 students from the tri-county area visited with representatives from more than 30 colleges, vocational schools, military organizations and a financial aid specialist to gather information and ask questions.

The district continues to offer a fall Career Day, offering high school students career assessment and career-related activities and speakers. Job shadowing opportunities are also available to seniors, and currently more than 160 students are enrolled in the Lansing Community College/ISD Career Preparation program.

Future plans include a senior year for-credit career research project tied to a junior year job shadowing experience.

“We’re very excited with what we’re now able to offer, both for the students and for the staff,” says Charlotte Superintendent Carl Ellinger: “Anything that motivates and increases student interest benefits everyone.”

According to Ellinger, the district is still grappling with how to expand the program to students prior to the ninth grade. Those efforts will be the district focus this year and next. But Career Pathways is definitely a viable and active part of the current Charlotte curriculum.

“We feel the pieces are now all in place,” says Dykstra. “Now it’s just a process of tying them all together.”

Ceremony To Celebrate Career Connections

On April 30, 2003, supporters of Career Connections will gather at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing to celebrate the initiative, recognize those districts who have excelled, and promote Career Preparation. The event is the Career Connections Stakeholders Conference and celebrants will include leaders from business, labor and politics, educators and parents. Afternoon workshops will be followed by a social hour at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

For more information call Sandi Carter at 517/244-1307.

LAMP Program Lights the Way for Manufacturing-minded Career Pathway Students

Lighthouses aren’t the only illuminating features of the Career Connections effort. LAMP can help shed even more light on student career decisions.

Just ask Alicia Wardell.

In September, 2000, Wardell was a junior at Lansing Catholic Central High School. While her career plans weren’t yet well-defined, she was keeping her options open, thinking about college and a business career. Then she discovered LAMP. The Lansing Area Manufacturing Partnership is a career prep partnership linking the UAW, General Motors and the Ingham Intermediate School District offering area students on-site, hands-on learning in a manufacturing environment.

“The LAMP program originated in 1995 as GM contemplated the need to attract quality future employees,” according to Chris Laverty, Training & Technology Representative, UAW Local 652. “It evolved as a result of unprecedented community involvement and teamwork among the UAW, GM and the Ingham ISD. We just knew it was the right thing to do.”

During the next two years program organizers developed the curriculum and in 1997 launched a pilot program led by instructors Jeff Dole and Deborah Kramer. Their first class had 24 students and offered students a practical, hands-on alternative to traditional classroom learning.

And that’s just what it offered Alicia Wardell.

“I’m from a GM family,” says Wardell. “But I was keeping an open mind. As I began the program, LAMP really helped me focus my interest in manufacturing.”

Wardell attended an informational meeting about the program, filled out an application, and took an assessment exam. The process also included an interview by a team of GM, UAW and ISD representatives.

“At first I just thought, ‘well, I’ll give it a try,’” she recalls. “But after talking with some of the instructors and observing the classes, I was really hoping to get in.”

Morning and afternoon classes are held at the UAW/GM Training Center and are team-taught by three certified teachers. The program now matriculates some 60 students per year. Students can also earn up to 11 Lansing Community College credits from the program upon receipt of their high school diplomas.

In May of her junior year Wardell was notified of her LAMP acceptance.

Her program began in August, 2001 with a week-long orientation where students became acquainted and were introduced to the curriculum. Throughout the course, students work in teams on assigned projects, with instructors acting as facilitators rather than teachers. For example, students might be required to learn about a particular system, identify its components, and often recommend solutions. The curriculum consists of six units and a major Capstone project that involves solving an actual plant problem. Every unit is a hands-on experience. Projects are not graded but are rated “Quality” or “Not yet Quality.” Capstone project results are presented by the students at an LCC symposium.

“I entered the program not knowing much about the manufacturing process, but by the time it ended, not only had I learned a great deal about the process, but also the career opportunities within manufacturing,” says Wardell.

Wardell also began to realize the importance of her previous academic experience. “While my math and science classes certainly helped my decision to focus on engineering, all my classes had really brought me to that point of applying for LAMP.”

“The LAMP program is just filled with opportunities,” says Laverty. “It’s a way for area students to explore careers and take control of their education. They’re learning problem-solving skills, leadership skills, and they’re learning teamwork. These students are creating a new paradigm for learning.”

LAMP also encourages collaboration and creativity, according to Wardell. “While working with other LAMP participants I became aware of valuable employability skills like teamwork and effective communications that I now use on the job.”

Wardell graduated from high school in 2002 and is majoring in Industrial Engineering at Kettering University in Flint where she is on a three-month work/three-month school program. She is also assigned to the GM Lansing Grand River plant where her assignments include rotations through different areas of manufacturing and working with a mentor.

“In general, I’m just excited about working in the engineering field.”

The LAMP program is available to high school seniors in the Ingham ISD, Eaton ISD, and Clinton County RESA. For more information about the LAMP program, call the LAMP office at 517/377-7149.

Webberville Whets Community Appetite for Career Pathways

On Wednesday, February 26, Webberville High School/Middle School Principal Tom McKenzie invited 50 local area business leaders and residents to join him at Angel’s Diner for dinner. And 42 of them said yes.

But the occasion was not strictly social. The guest list included representatives of the agricultural and natural resources business sector, as well as numerous Future Farmers of America alumni and retired area farmers, and McKenzie wanted to let them know how Webberville High School is preparing students for the world of work. He also encouraged attendees to join the schools in business/school partnerships.

McKenzie was selling the Career Pathways program. And judging from the reactions of those attending, businesses are buying into the program.

“The Career Pathways program is an effective way to provide area businesses an opportunity to develop quality future employees and assure jobs for our graduates,” says McKenzie. “It’s win/win for everyone.”

Joining McKenzie was MSU Agriculture Education senior Loretta Benjamin, who presented “Growing Our Future,” the district’s Agriculture & Natural Resources career development plan, along with current agricultural trends in curriculum, materials and facilities. In addition, McKenzie introduced the district’s school improvement plan that includes significant Career Pathway emphasis.

McKenzie’s next effort involves approaching the city’s fast-developing industrial park to establish educational partnerships in business and marketing.

“These are firms that employ anywhere from two or three employees up to 500 workers, all involved in business, marketing, engineering and technology,” says McKenzie. “They’re a great source for job shadowing, mentoring, apprenticeships and career speakers.”

And that, for McKenzie, is the perfect dessert.

LCC Gives New Meaning to TGIF

High school students have a new reason to look forward to Fridays with Focus Fridays, a fresh, informative program developed by Lansing Community College in conjunction with the Career Connections Board to offer high school students Career Pathway direction.

Six times a year, high school juniors and seniors are invited to campus for a 90-minute session highlighting one of the six Career Pathway areas, where students can hear from knowledgeable instructors and faculty advisors representing several different programs in one specific Career Pathway. Following their presentations, the speakers are available to answer questions in a relaxed and informal setting.

“The intent of Focus Fridays is to help high school students connect with instructors and faculty advisors in their specific areas of interest,” says Focus Friday Coordinator Victoria Mojica. “It’s also an opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with the campus and its programs.”

Since its implementation last fall, five of the six Career Pathways have been covered, including Health Services; Arts & Communications; Business Management, Marketing & Technology; Human Services; and Natural Resources and Agriscience. The May 2nd Focus Friday will focus on Engineering, Manufacturing and Industrial Technology.

Focus Friday programs are held from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for student convenience. Attendees meet in the Enrollment Services office located in the Gannon Vocational Tech Building before moving to the specific assigned classroom. Attendees receive free parking in LCC’s Gannon parking ramp and a food voucher good for any LCC campus food service facility. While the program is geared toward high school juniors and seniors, it is open to anyone interested in a specific Career Pathway area.

“The program is not only helpful to prospective LCC students, but it’s a great recruitment tool for the college,” says Mojica. “It really helps students focus on their interests and abilities prior to enrolling. As a result, they enter college more self-directed and motivated which makes them better students and ultimately happier in their career choices.

To reserve a seat or for more informa-tion on the Focus Friday program, call LCC Enrollment Services at 517/483-1283.

CORRECTION: Last month’s Career Connections Action Update report of survey results should have indicated that nearly half (49%) of high school teachers stated that their students have participated in work-based learning. The 2002 study was designed and conducted by the Ingham ISD, Lansing Community College, and the Career Connections Evaluation Subcommittee.