Students learn about life after graduation

Cedar Rapids and Marion high school students have been busy this year learning about how to be successful in school and beyond. They've had a resource available to them through their high schools to provide additional insight on life after graduation. The students can see first-hand how careers may fit into their future by going on job shadows or participating in events like Mock Interviews at CR Washington High School. These programs are run by Workplace Learning Connection (WLC), a division of Kirkwood Community College that works closely with school personnel to prepare Cedar Rapids - Metro high schoolers for the world of work.

Students in the CR Washington High School I-JAG program got an in-depth understanding of how to get a job. Two professional recruiters from Yellowbook talked with the class about how to construct their resume and a cover letter, and how to thoroughly complete a job application. The next day, the recruiters came back to provide interview tips and get the students prepared to participate in a mock interview. A week later, nine area Human Resources professionals conducted one-on-one interviews with each student and provided feedback on how the experience went. The teens got a lesson on the “soft skills” that every employer requires, like the need for written and oral communication skills, problem solving skills, people skills, and reliability and responsibility skills. They learned about the importance of a firm handshake, making eye contact, and how to stand out amongst other job applicants by developing their personal “elevator” pitch.

WLC job shadows are always a popular activity, as well. This year, area high school students from Prairie, Jefferson, Kennedy, Washington, Metro, Linn-Mar, Marion and Xavier, applied for more than 550 experiences. Students have been, or will be, placed in a variety of one-day shadows which include actuary, engineering (aerospace, industrial, biomedical, environmental, mechanical, nuclear, computer, chemical, materials), law enforcement, music therapy, truck driver, and zoologist to name a few. Students have two opportunities to do job shadows in any given school year.

So far this school year, 61 CR-Metro area students have applied for, and been granted, a student internship for elective credit. These students are not only learning from the internship, they're making networking relationships for future job applications and letters of recommendation. Plus, they all know that a high school internship looks pretty good on a college admissions or scholarship application! Internships have been done in a variety of careers, including an athletic trainer, a community relations specialist, and a phlebotomy lab technician.

Brittany Deyo, Human Resources of Yellowbook, explains why she believes in career readiness for high school students, “I wish I had these opportunities when I was in high school! Learning the skills early on can help make the transition into the workforce a smooth and successful one. Some day these students will be working in our communities; we have the opportunity now to help lead them to success.”

Area schools (Prairie, Jefferson, Kennedy, Washington, Metro, Linn-Mar, Marion and Xavier High School) partner with WLC to equip their students with 21st Century skills to help them enter and succeed in the world of work. To learn more about these opportunities, contact the high school's guidance office or log on to www.workplace-learning.org.