1.7 - So Many Opportunities

So Many Opportunities NEXTSTEP- P's T's S's

 

Welcome back to When the Wind Blows...an Epic podcast for parents, teachers, leaders and anyone vested in world of education

 

How did you get involved in education? What made you bring that to Epic?

 

• Education growing up was a safe place for me as a student because I grew up in an abusive home and we moved every few months. Seeing how teachers showed me love, compassion, and grace changed me. It helped shape me. As I got older I realized I wanted to replicate that with students so going into Education was an easy decision. Coming to Epic was a journey I am forever grateful for, but just through working with students in various capacities and having passion for helping high school students to see their full potential no matter their history, past, or situation was a perfect fit for working in the Epic model. 

 

Why did you suggest this topic?

• In life we all have a Next Step, the beginning process is pretty simple. In elementary school we start learning about community helpers. For example, doctors, nurses, police, firefighters. Then our next step is middle school and we start connecting the dots of the people in our life. For example, my neighbor is a nurse or my aunt is a police officer. Then by the time we reach high school we should have a better concept of career options and which ones we feel connected to or interested in. However, many students are unsure early in their high school career. So at Epic we start the real journey with the Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP) to begin taking career and interest assessments to begin learning what careers will leverage their personal strengths and interests. Then we work to ensure by the time they reach 11th and 12th grade they are participating in an area which better helps prepare them for their next step in an area aligned to their career or college interest. 

CareerTech -- Students at Epic are enrolled at career tech sites all across the state in many different programs. We have students pursuing computer coding, engineering, cosmetology, culinary arts. While in high school they are learning skills and earning a certificate. Interested students should begin researching what career tech programs they may be interested in applying for anytime between 8th-10th grade. Generally students apply for CT during 10th grade year of high school. 

 

Concurrent -- Students at Epic are enrolled all across the student at local colleges and universities taking college coursework which allows the student to earn both high school and college credits at the same time. 

 

AP -- Epic is offering some AP coursework this year which is another way for a student to prepare for the rigor of college and allows them the opportunity to test out of college coursework. 

 

Internships -- Students seeking hands on experience in a certain career or industry can participate in an internship. This can allow a student to gain experience which either helps them eliminate certain career fields or gets them even more excited about certain career fields. Students who participate in an internship can earn high school credit. ENN OPP

 

This year we are launching “Find your Future Fridays” and the Department of College and Career Readiness will be hosting a weekly time for students, parents, and Epic staff to come join us on varying topics all year from enrollment in career tech or concurrent enrollment, hearing industry leaders share out from the industry on in demand jobs, FASFA, scholarships, and so much more! Do not miss these opportunities to connect and grow in all things College and Career Readiness! We are here to help students find their Next Steps after high school!

That's all we have for today. If you like what you heard, go ahead and hit the like button and subscribe to the podcast so you are notified each time a new episode drops. If you are a returning listener you should rate the podcast and leave us a comment. 

 

Tune in next week where we are rethinking how leadership and education can better prepare the next generation for a rapidly evolving world.