Public Preparatory Network’s Post

Exposing K-12 students to diverse career pathways early on is crucial for their personal and professional development. When young people are introduced to a wide range of careers, they can explore their interests, understand their strengths, and envision their future in a way that aligns with their passions and skills. This early exposure helps demystify various professions, including those in STEM, the arts, trades, and emerging fields, making them more accessible to all students, regardless of their background. Additionally, introducing diverse career options early promotes equity by ensuring that all students have the opportunity to see themselves in roles they might not have otherwise considered. It helps break down stereotypes and encourages a more inclusive workforce by inspiring underrepresented groups to pursue careers in fields where they have traditionally been underrepresented. By integrating career exploration into K-12 education, we can inspire the next generation to dream big and think beyond traditional career paths, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to pursue a future that is both fulfilling and impactful. This approach not only benefits students but also builds a more diverse and skilled workforce for the future. Thank you, Dr. Spence, for being a champion of this important work and for your dedication to empowering all students with the opportunity to explore diverse career pathways. Loudoun County Public Schools Loudoun Education Foundation Loudoun Economic Development #loudouncounty #workforcedevelopment #stemeducation #jobsforthefuture #futureofwork

Today marks the end of my tenure at #CoralWayK8Center. Although it feels bittersweet, I am grateful to have worked in the After-School Program for the last two years. I am passionate about Child Care and ensuring that schools create an environment that fosters learning and emotional growth. Miami-Dade County Public Schools continues to prove that it is a major bastion of support for student success. 🔑 Below are some of my key learnings. 🔑 👩🏻🏫 Teachers are the backbone of society. We should respect and value them—and compensate them fairly. Teacher burnout statistics do not lie, which is why providing them with adequate support and resources is paramount. 👧🏻👦🏾 Students are the future. Nurturing their passions is just as important as helping them cultivate the tools to succeed academically and professionally. It takes a village to shape the next generation. 📈 It is important to work for a company/institution that supports your career and personal development. A successful company encourages creativity and stimulates its employees intellectually. Stagnation—in every sense of the word—is never good. 🗣 Talk. Talk. Talk. I am a fine conversationalist so, naturally, I enjoy talking. There is nothing more special than interacting with people from all walks of life. Someone could change your point of view. Someone could identify with your story. You can learn so much from simply talking to others. 👩🏻💼🧑🏻💼 Mentorship. Having worked at a K-8 school, I met people who became close confidantes and mentors. Not only did they help me with confidence-building, but they also shared their penetrating insights. I often asked faculty and staff members, "What is the most rewarding part of working in education?" Everyone's experience is different—and that is the beauty of it. 🎓 This fall, I will start a master's degree in Higher Education Administration at Florida International University. I am glad that I will still work in an educational environment. I hope this will allow me to, one day, actualize my dream of becoming an administrator.

The landscape of careers in higher ed is changing - more and more pros are transitioning from traditional campus roles for EdTech, consulting, or even launching their own ventures. Join Ana M. Rossetti, Ed.D., Carrie Lovelace Petr, Ph.D., PCC, BCC, Seth Odell, and myself for our second Real Talk Higher Ed — The Rise of the Campus Partner: Reshaping Higher Ed from the Inside Out. https://lnkd.in/g8HiFqmB Are these rogue career paths viable? What are the long-term benefits for the industry? ️How are these "outsiders" able to support campuses facing unsurmountable challenges? Can't wait to get into it more during our candid discussion - get registered and save the date for May 30 at 1 pm ET!

We loved the excitement our posts about Penn State's PGN chapter generated! Remember, with Epic Hire's exclusive-access Penn State PGN Playbook, you and your team can learn more about all the students who participated. We want to humanize the early career hiring space, and by clicking on these profiles you'll be greeted with students' photos from college extracurriculars, hopes for their future careers, and insights into their personalities. Your team--and these students--will benefit from hiring for reasons other than just what is on a resume. Leave a comment or reach out if you want access! Club leaders! Want your club to be featured? You can reach out also and we can set you up with an Epic Hire Club Challenge! #hirethebest #internshipopportunities #earlycareers #earlycareer #hiringsolutions

3 barriers that are hindering students participation in campus life. 𝟏. 𝐎𝐟𝐟-𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. Many students work off-campus jobs to support themselves, which limits their availability for campus activities. Promoting on-campus work opportunities can mitigate this issue, offering more flexibility and integration with campus life. For example, Alabama A&M University raised its campus minimum wage to encourage more students to take on-campus jobs, directly contributing to higher engagement and retention rates (Inside Higher Ed). 𝟐. 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. The timing and location of events also plays a crucial role in student participation. A survey indicated that 41% of students cited inconvenient timing and locations as major obstacles to attending campus events (Inside Higher Ed). Adopting a student-centered approach when scheduling events can significantly boost attendance and involvement. 𝟑. 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 Students simply don't know where to go. Effective communication strategies are essential to keep students informed about engagement opportunities. Utilizing digital tools, such as a comprehensive events calendar or event bulletin, can centralize information and make it easier for students to find activities that interest them. How does your institution address barriers to student engagement? Share your strategies and experiences below! #HigherEd #StudentEngagement #CampusLife #StudentSuccess

All pathways to opportunity should come with directions, yet those directions aren’t always readily available to students. 🗺️   Greg Walker, The College Board Senior Vice President, State and District Partnerships led a panel discussion with Dr. V. Scott H. Solberg, Coalition for Career Development (CCD) Center, Sylvia Wood, St. Dominic Savio High School (Austin, TX) and Yustina Saleh, Ph.D., The Burning Glass Institute at #SXSWEDU 2024 on the importance of providing students with career-focused experiences, guidance, and resources to help them navigate where they want to go after high school and how to get there-- whether that be into the workforce, college, training programs, etc. In case you missed it, here are a few takeaways from the session:          📈 There are so many pathways for students to choose from, but the road to those opportunities is not linear. We (education organizations/educators/counselors/caring adults) should provide students with the GPS tools they need to get where they want to go.          💗 Career pathway navigation isn’t just about helping students discover what they like… it’s also about helping them figure out what they don’t like. It’s our responsibility to help students connect their values and passions to their strengths and career path options.          ❓ About half of people in the workforce are underemployed, and students are understandably concerned given this reality. They’re left wondering how to determine the “right” pathway that leads to a successful and fulfilling career come high school graduation.          💡 What would it look like if students were exposed to the breadth of options connected to their interests and competencies? We must introduce students to careers early on in their high school journey through projects and work-based learning, counseling, and accessible resources so they can make informed decisions based on their own experience and interests. Big thank you to the amazing panelists for their insights throughout this session! To learn more about how you can support students with career navigation, visit BigFuture.com to explore career and college planning resources, guides, quizzes, and more. #SXSW #careernavigation #multiplepathways

In my four decades at BVerve, I've had the privilege of watching countless children grow and develop. One common thread I've noticed is how we, as a society, often place overwhelming emphasis on academics during a child's formative years, while life skills take a backseat. About 25 years ago, a young boy, around 6-7 years old, came to me struggling with his studies. His parents were concerned about his academic performance, and rightly so. We focused intensively on improving his academic skills. He persevered through the challenges and eventually not only completed his schooling but also went on to earn an MBA. Fast forward to today, that same boy, now a 30-year-old man, has returned to BVerve. This time, his focus isn't on academics but on mastering life skills, relationships, and employment strategies. His journey highlights a crucial oversight in our education system: while academics are important, life skills are equally essential. Academic achievements open doors, but life skills determine how we navigate through them. Skills like communication, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and relationship management are fundamental to personal and professional success. At BVerve, we believe in nurturing both academic and life skills from a young age. It's not just about getting good grades; it's about preparing for the real world. By giving equal importance to life skills, we can help children grow into well-rounded, capable adults. Let's rethink our approach to education. It's time we place as much emphasis on teaching life skills as we do on academics. #bverve #specialeducation #remedialeducation

This week, we had the privilege of visiting several of our partner campuses around Texas. A highlight of the trip was getting to speak to a group of students - at their request! - to discuss career opportunities and trajectory upon completion of our curriculum. This conversation highlighted the importance of work-based learning opportunities for students. One student knew exactly what she wanted to do and only needed some input on how to order the steps she plans to take. One student really isn't sure what he wants to do and could benefit from exposure to different environments to see what sparks his interest. Another knows the general field she wants to pursue; while she isn't sure where she wants to focus within that field, she beautifully articulated the work environment that she knows will help her thrive. The more we can provide students the opportunity to engage with the workforce, the more they can align their education choices to pursue the right career, saving both time and money spent exploring. Next week, we will look more at how this serves not only students, but employers as well. #AdvanceCTE #CTEMonth #WorkBasedLearning

The summer between 5th and 6th grade changed my life. I moved to a new city, which meant changing schools. Leaving behind my closest friends was hard, but I was open to the idea of making more friends in a new #community. That summer, I met a new friend at our neighborhood pool and we became inseparable. In the weeks leading up to the first day of school, I felt more and more excitement for the first day of 6th grade. The day finally came. My new friend and I carpooled together. I was ready. My 1st class was great, so was the next and the one after that. But things changed at lunch. As I came out of my 4th period classroom, my new friend and another girl, who I hadn’t met yet, walked up to me. I smiled, excited to make another new friend. I could never have predicted what was actually about to happen. As they approached me, the other girl said, “we don’t want to have you as our friend, we already have enough friends. You have to find your own friends.” They turned and walked away. I felt shocked. Thrown away. Scared. Alone. Suddenly, I felt very out of place. The whole school seemed to be spinning around me. I no longer felt a sense of #belonging. That experience changed me. For the better. Since that day, I have made it a personal commitment to stay open to making new friends and helping to bring other people IN. People often underestimate the nerves and uncertainty that new hires experience in the workplace. Having a formal #buddyprogram can help, but having an #inclusive and welcoming team that actually takes the time to make sure you feel part of the crowd is invaluable. Some people seem to make friends easily, others seem to have a more challenging time. Yet, everyone benefits from #connection and people taking an interest in THEM. What can you do to help others feel more IN on your team? What experiences have you had in life that profoundly impacted the way you embrace #engagement with others?

U.S. Department of Education In the heart of South Texas, Lytle High School is championing digital equity to bridge economic, educational, and access divides. Learn more about their Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) from Office of Educational Technology https://lnkd.in/egyrXiag MDRC P-TECH 9-14 Pathways to Success: Implementation, Impact, and Cost Findings from the New York City P-TECH 9-14 Schools Evaluation New findings in this report indicate that the P-TECH model increased students' postsecondary degree completion, particularly for male students, and boosted internship and dual enrollment rates, even during the pandemic. LINK: https://lnkd.in/eQBKPNsA #weareptech #skillsfirst #skillsbuild #skills2030 Pathways in Technology Early College High School PTECH Brooklyn HS Alumni Network NYC Department of Education The City University of New York City Tech, CUNY IBM IBM iX The State University of New York New York State Education Department www.ptech.org