Be Prepared Pathways Program Bridges Transition From School To A Career

High school is a momentous intersection in one’s life, with infinite directions to take. A crossroads. It can be confusing and frightening. Consequently, many students today are diseased with career indecision: ambitious but ambivalent aspirations.

Fortunately, schools around Spokane city and county have created “pathway” programs to help students focus their activities toward a certain interest.

Pathways is a consortium of 11 Spokane public school districts, the Spokane Skills Center and the Community Colleges of Spokane. It’s a professional-technical program offering students a school-to-career bridge and flexible training so they know what they might be looking for in a career.

Pathways involves helpful occupational information, college searches, job shadowing, internships, career counseling and in-class activities. Each of these services enables students to pick an occupation that suits their personalities and then create a plan to help realize that goal - whether through college or through other means.

Leann Burgess, Central Valley’s director of the SCOPE program (Student Career Opportunity Paths in Education), is pleased that schools are trying to make education “more relevant” compared to the last 50 years of archaic techniques, basically students sitting at their desks listening to a lecture.

“The average Joe in General English is doing a lot more thinking about careers, thinking about exploration, thinking about ‘Who am I and what am I like?’ as opposed to just sitting in a traditional classroom,” she said. These pathway programs put “more tools at (students’) fingertips.”

Unfortunately, many students have refused to tap into this opportunity. The majority of high school students don’t take advantage of professional-technical education programs in their schools.

Representing the active minority, Sadie Heilman has immersed herself into her school’s Pathway program. Now a junior at Riverside High School, she’s traveled around the region presenting and promoting the system. She also belongs to a committee dedicated to reforming the curriculum toward the school-towork transition.

Heilman used the information and experience with Riverside’s program to give her confidence in her chosen career direction. It began last year when she started an espresso business at school.

“I learned a lot about actual business, like interacting with vendors and ordering supplies, but I also learned a lot about myself,” she said. “I’m not one who wants to work for other people. I know I’m going to be an entrepreneur and have my own company.” Because Heilman’s interests lie in nutrition and health, she’s thinking of opening a “get-well clinic” for people with diseases such as cancer and arthritis. She says there are lots of doctor’s offices and such to go to for medical needs, but nothing with all-in-one care - counseling, fitness, nutritional training and more.

Heilman said her classes suddenly have more meaning when she thinks of them in context of what she wants to do with her life. English is important for writing proposals and signs; math is pivotal for bookkeeping and such.

Hundreds of other students throughout Spokane County are getting similar jumps on their careers. At Shadle Park, civil engineers work with students who are studying the structure of bridges and building them.

At University, students use intricate computer systems to diagnose automobile problems. North Central has a year-long early childhood education course and students at the Spokane Skills Center have a quarter of a million dollars in equipment in the machine shop alone.

Pathways, while still developing, is lighting the road from school to the unknown and uncertain future. This resource allows students to investigate careers and college, weigh the pros and cons, and make an informed decision. All it takes is a small effort - ask a school counselor for assistance.

“If a student wants to be responsible and take the ball on their own,” says Burgess, “they could explore so many things.”

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Did you know: February is National ProfessionalTechnical Education Month. More than 80 percent of tomorrow’s jobs won’t require a conventional four-year degree. Businesses will be desperate for job candidates with strong basic knowledge and skills, combined with special technical training. By the year 2000, 65 percent of America’s jobs will require specific skill training; 20 percent will require professional training; only 15 percent will be available to the unskilled. In 1968, 69.1 percent of entering college freshman completed a bachelor’s degree within five years. By 1988, completion declined to 58.8 percent. A national survey of teens finds that 86 percent of girls expect to work outside the home, but only 58 percent of boys expect their wives to do so.