Transition To Career Program
The Transition to Career Program is a joint effort among USD 511 and USD 361 to improve opportunities for Harper County students to explore various career interests. This program is designed to meet the state emphasis placed on Individual Plans of Study (IPS) and the emphasis to build soft skills among high school students.
The design of this program will place Harper County business and industries in direct contact with high school students. It will bring business leaders into the schools to explain their specific field, job expectations, requirements, education or technical training needed, and wage and benefit expectations. Throughout the school year this will be accomplished with business luncheons, primarily with freshman and sophomore students.
The goal with the juniors in the County is to develop career interests in four areas of their choice and do a day of job shadowing in those areas. These shadowing opportunities will be done one per nine week period in their selected business field.
As a senior, students will have been exposed to various career opportunities, they will be asked to pick one career field of interest for a semester long internship. This internship will be mutually developed by the student, parent, school, and business.
The entire program will include soft skill requirements from students as well. These requirements will include such things:
- Interview and Application Process
- Reflections on Various Experiences
- Work Ethic and Work Behaviors
Other Related Items
Besides the goals mentioned previously for students of this program, some secondary goals also exist. This program will allow students to gain a better understanding of the various career opportunities that exist in Harper County. This will also allow business’ the opportunity to see the potential work force that exist in Harper County.
Although this program is a high school based program both districts are taking strides to introduce this information to students and parents throughout elementary and middle school. The overall purpose is provide students with a wide variety of choices to explore, give them the opportunity for some practical experience, and help them determine what their interest might or might not be.