Vinton County Local Schools Viking Success Career Advising Plan 2017-18

Why do schools need a Career Advising Plan? Students need repeated opportunities to engage in career awareness, exploration, and planning activities. Students need multiple opportunities to gain insights to their interests, aptitudes, values, and preferences, as related to careers.

Why do schools need a Career Advising Plan? (cont.) Students need to see the relevance/connection between school subjects and the world of work. Students need to learn about the labor market’s in-demand jobs (jobs waiting to be filled). Students need insights to the cost/benefit ratio for training, higher education, and cost of living expenses.

Why do schools need a Career Advising Plan? (cont.) Students need to be aware of alternative educational opportunities such as CCP, Credit Flex, Career Tech. Students at risk of dropping out of school need early intervention and a plan for success.

Why do schools need a Career Advising Plan? (cont.) Because our students face these important concerns: Many students want to attend college or career centers, but may lack the knowledge, support, resources, etc., to plan for and succeed with their goals Many students lack a clear vision of what it takes to do what they want (academic preparation, financial resources, time commitment) Many students need help identifying and securing careers that can help them be happy and successful

Viking Success Career Advising Plan is to address these student needs. Why do schools need a Career Advising Plan? (cont.) Our students tell us they need all of these things, beginning as early as possible. The purpose of the Viking Success Career Advising Plan is to address these student needs.

Key Components of the Viking Success Career Advising Plan 2017-18

Levels of Career Development Career Awareness Activities – Grades K-5 Career Exploration Activities – Grades 6-8 3. Career Planning Activities – Grades 9-12 Throughout the school year, students will have multiple opportunities to grow in their knowledge of educational and career options. The nature of activities will differ based on grade level. The levels listed above reflect the focus of career development activities for students in the elementary, middle, and high school.

Viking Success College & Career Immersion Experience ~ November 2017 November is National Career Development Month. Although career-related activities will occur throughout the school year, November will be a time when Vinton County Local Schools will offer a greater number activities designed to expand student awareness of a variety of career and educational options. These activities may include: Guest Speakers Class assignments and projects Increased use of Ohio Means Jobs K-12 Career assessments Opportunities to learn about Ohio’s in-demand jobs, and how to get them Opportunities to learn about local educational options (colleges and career centers) that can help students prepare for Ohio’s in-demand jobs Morning messages, bulletin board displays, etc. Awareness of Alternative Educational Options – Information sessions regarding Flex Credit, College Credit Plus, Career Tech

Middle and High School Counselors will meet with students for: Additional Viking Success Initiatives for Grades 6 -12 Middle and High School Counselors will meet with students for: Individual Career Advising Including development of a career plan Group Career Advising For students with common career/educational interests

Examples of Specific Viking Success Initiatives for Grades 9 – 12 Teachers will lead activities with grade-appropriate use of Ohio Means Jobs (9-12) Teachers will offer an activity, at least 1x/month during the school year, that demonstrates how what students are learning in their class relates to careers or higher education (9-12) ASVAB Testing & Interpretation (10-12) Buckeye Hills Info Session & Site Visitation (10) Buckeye for a Day (10-11) College & Career Rep Group Presentations (9-12) College & Career Center Campus Visitations (10-12) College 101 (11) ACT Testing (Grade 11) Job shadowing – If parents/guardians would like for their child to conduct job shadowing, they must contact the Guidance office for specific details about how to proceed.

Specific Viking Success Initiatives Grade 12 The following will be offered to our Seniors: Attend a College Fair Attend a Job Fair Learn from Guest Speakers throughout the year from military, colleges, business, industry, job readiness & placement agencies Complete Personality Types & Careers – online assessment results related to careers Career Exploration Research Project Receive help with college/career center applications and completion of FAFSA

Students “at risk” of not succeeding in Additional Viking Success Initiatives for Grades 6 -12 Students “at risk” of not succeeding in school will be identified, as early as Grade 6. School personnel will contact parents/guardians and, together, they will develop a Student Success Plan that addresses factors causing the student to be at risk, as well as a plan for improvement.

How will we promote the Viking Success Plan to students, and how will we know if are plan is making a difference?

Viking Success - Marketing & Promotion We will promote the Viking Success program via: Morning announcements, class-specific bulletin board/message areas, teacher promotion, website, newspaper, radio coverage Group messaging and social media; school auto call system Involving student groups to help carry out the initiatives; give students ownership in the program Involving graduates, whenever possible, to share their successes Promotion to parents at orientation, PTCs, mail/email

Viking Success - Measurable Goals By the end of this school year, students should be able to: Utilize Ohio Means Jobs to identify at least 2-3 in-demand careers that correlate with their interests, abilities, preparation, and commitment to pursuing education/employment in those fields (grades 6-12). Understand cost of living factors as related to anticipated income from the careers that interest them (grades 9-12). Identify anticipated challenges to their career objectives, and identify strategies to overcome them (grades 9-12). Seniors will successfully transition to college, career center, apprenticeship, military, job, or other training program (grade 12).

Viking Success - Evaluation We will measure our progress toward these objectives by: Conducting 2 surveys – start and end of school year. Students will reflect on what they learned in end of year survey Informal assessment – students document anticipate challenges and how to overcome them Students respond to a questionnaire or survey 3-6 months after graduation reporting their current status with their career plan

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” - Abraham Lincoln Questions about the Viking Success Plan for 2017-18? Contact: Kellie Abele, School Counselor Vinton County High School 740-596-5258 kellie.abele@vinton.k12.oh.us