How to Expand Your High
School Career Development
Program
Nathan Hale High School
School District of
West Allis-West Milwaukee
Excellence is to do a common
thing in an uncommon way.
Booker T. Washington
Nathan Hale High School’s
Career Academy
Takes a common topic, career development,
and approaches it in an uncommon way.
Why Should School Districts Consider
Comprehensive Career Development
Programs?
To expose all students, 9-12, to a broad range of careers
and career related activities in a consistent manner
To empower students to make informed choices about
careers prior to selecting post secondary options
To best prepare students for success beyond the high
school doors
The Nathan Hale High School’s
Career Academy is a
Comprehensive Career
Development Program that Works!
Components of the Nathan Hale
High School Career Academy
 All students participate
 It is supported through the school
curriculum
 It is supported by a Career Committee of
staff members from across content areas
 It partners with local businesses and
organizations
 It is recognized as a vital component of our
school community and culture
All Student Activities
 Interest Inventories
 Career Research
 Job Shadowing
 Career Assemblies
 Mock Interviews
Curriculum-Based
 9th grade
– Success Highways Curriculum (8 lessons)
– Social Studies and Math classes (4 lessons
each)
 10th Grade
– Wisconsin Career Assessment
– Career research
– Compare/contrast career essay assignment
Job Shadowing
 Rationale
– Snapshot of a day on the job
– Credible source regarding education and
training requirements, job responsibilities
– Networking opportunity for summer job,
internship, or permanent position
 Procedures
– Job Shadow Workshops
– Forms
Career Assembly
 Rationale
 Format
– Monthly event
– 4-5 career speakers per event
– Individuals present for 10-12 minutes
 Procedures
– Sign-up
– Passes
– Student evaluation form
Mock Interviews
 Rationale
 Format
– Cafeteria
– 15-20 minute interview
– Interview with professional from related career
 Procedures
– Sign up
– Pass to attend with report time
– Evaluation
Tie it Together!
Provide a framework
The Parent Meeting
 Individual Parent/Student/Counselor
Meetings
–
–
–
–
10th and 11th grade
Academic Planning
Career Planning
Transition to life after high school
Career Major Program
 Required to complete 14 career-related
requirements
 Student, parent, school counselor, and
faculty representative sign contract
 Requirement check-off sheet
 Verify interest
 Saves student time and money
Employability Skills and Portfolio
Workshop
 Guest speakers present on the following
topics:
– Job search
– Application
– Resume writing
 Portfolio
– Helps organize and prepare for interview
– Evidence of skills and accomplishments
School Activity
 Rationale
 Acceptable activities
– Student mentor
– Student tutor
– Club or organization
– Student aide
Career-Related Community
Activity
 Rationale
 Networking
 Shadowing
 Verification
 Intern Program
Classroom Integration
 Link to curriculum
 Require activities in individual class
 Resume and portfolio development
 Preparation for Mock Interview Day
Staff Collaboration
 Career Committee Focus Group
 Classroom use
– Proximity to College & Career Center
– Central location
 Teachers encourage student participation
– Events
– Career major program
Career Major Meetings
 September
– Job Shadow Workshop
– Activity Schedule
– Required courses and activities
 Mid Year
– Individual student update of unfinished
activities
– Mock interview preview
Celebration of Success!
 Diploma endorsement
 Transcript endorsement
 Silver cords
 Academic Awards Banquet (Spring)
Implementation
How to start your own program
Phase 1
 Start-up
– Administrative support
– Energetic coordinator/leader
– Budget (paper and copying)
 Career Committee
– Staff buy-in
– One member of from each department
 Career Assessments
 Job Shadowing
 Career Assemblies
Phase 2
 Career/Academic Counseling Sessions
– Parent meeting with school counselor
– Individual, one-on-one meetings most effective
– Large group meeting also possible
 Mock Interviews
– One day event
– Helps build network of community contacts
 Employability Skills & Portfolio Workshop
– 2-3 hour event
– Follow up required
Phase 3
 Establish Career Major Program
– Career Committee
 Career Major Meetings
 Appreciation Breakfast
 Silver Cords
 Diploma Endorsements
 Transcript Endorsements
Making it Work!
Keys to Success
Administrative & Staff Support
 Principal
 School Board
 Staff
– Career Committee
– English Department
Marketing
 Name the program
 Create a symbol
 Publicity
– School calendar
– Counselor newsletter
– Announcements
– Signs/posters
Community Partnerships
 West Allis-West Milwaukee Chamber of
Commerce
 GMR Marketing
 Walgreens
 MATC/WCTC
 4-year colleges & universities
Appreciation Breakfast
 Staff contributions
 Partner contributions
 Framed certificates presented
 Hot breakfast served
 Student speakers provide testimonials
 Student portfolios displayed
Budget/Resources
 College & Career Center Aide
 GMR annual contribution
 Starter Kit book sales
 Community contacts database
 Career Committee
Question & Answer Session
Contact Information
Kathy MacDonald, Principal, 414-604-3211
MacdK@wawm.k12.wi.us
Nate Rice, School Counselor, 414-604-3225
RiceN@wawm.k12.wi.us