Dr. Phillip Gilbreath, Director
Garland Independent School
District
Harris Hill Administration Building
P.O. Box 469026
Garland,
TX 75046-9026
(214) 494-8540
Located in one of the fastest growing areas in Dallas County, the Garland Independent School District (GISD) serves over 43,000 students in grades K-12 in 58 school campuses and one cooperative center. GISD offers Career and Technology Education (CATE) programs that empower students to achieve their potential and experience success through a comprehensive, integrated program. Students have access to information and receive assistance in the development of skills necessary for decision-making, problem-solving, and career and life planning. The program is an organized team effort consisting of counselors, teachers, administrators, librarians, parents, private industries, and community organizations. Every team member is committed to promoting the educational, psychological, social, and career development of all students.
CATE counselors perform several responsibilities, including coordinating all career interest survey testing, providing personal guidance to students in making career choices and selecting appropriate courses, providing CATE course information to middle school and high school students, and serving on advisory councils. Career and assessment materials (e.g., Ohio Career Interest Survey, Boy Scout Survey, Discover Computer Assisted Career Assessment, Decisions Guidance Booklet), career activities (e.g., career night, college night), and counseling strategies (e.g., individual and group counseling, classroom guidance) enable students to do career investigation and educational planning. The success of the guidance program in addressing the diverse needs of its student population is due in part to the strong support of parents and the community.
Career and Technology Education Career Guidance and Counseling Program
Bonny Green, Director
Katy Independent School District
Miller
Career Center
1734 Katyland Drive
Katy, TX 77493
(713) 396-6300
The mission of the Career and Technology Education program in Katy Independent School District (ISD) is to integrate career awareness, technical preparation, and academic excellence to train students to become productive citizens in a global workforce. Career awareness begins at the elementary level with career week programs and the implementation of a guidance curriculum. Career exploration is emphasized in middle and junior high school where students participate in the ACT's Career Planning Program (CPP). The CPP is an assessment designed to provide students with accurate, comprehensive information about their abilities and interests and help them explore and identify career paths.
Katy ISD's Career Guidance and Counseling Program uses individual and group counseling to address students' career development needs and concerns. Professional development activities are conducted for counselors, teachers, and other school personnel to increase their knowledge and understanding of career exploration, counseling, postsecondary training options for students, school-to-work, applied academics, and local partnerships. In addition, courses that promote increased self-concept and effective interpersonal and leadership skills, including career investigation, psychology, sociology, and health, are offered at the secondary level. The Miller Career Center, which serves as the central site for Katy ISD, is rich with current computer-based career resources that are available to students every day.
Career Guidance and Counseling Program
Glenda Taylor, Program Supervisor
Caddo-Kiowa Vocational-Technical
Center
P.O. Box 190
Ft. Cobb, OK 73038
(405) 643-5511
A comprehensive career development program, the Career Guidance and Counseling Program of Caddo-Kiowa Vocational-Technical Center (C/K VTC) helps secondary and adult students set educational and career goals. Through a "building block" format that begins in kindergarten and extends through 12th grade, students learn the importance of continued personal growth and good communication skills, improving self-awareness and self-advocacy, and exploring several career options. Adult students are afforded many of the same opportunities, in a slightly different format, that are available to secondary students.
Students are assisted in developing and implementing an individualized career plan based on their knowledge gained through the program. An important component of the Career Guidance and Counseling Program is job placement. To facilitate the transition from school to work, all students are required to attend job readiness classes and participate in on-the-job training in their field. Various strategies are used to assist the approximately 1,600 students every year. These strategies include individual and group counseling, career awareness activities, and testing. Materials used include vocational assessment tools and a wide variety of career resources in the form of videos, books, handbooks, and games.
Project SOAR--Success Opportunities Through Articulated Resources
Brenda Nixon, Project Coordinator
Metro Tech
1900 Springlake
Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73111
(405) 424-8324
A consortium of Oklahoma City schools initiated Project SOAR (Success Opportunities through Articulated Resources) to plan and implement an articulated education program that includes academic and vocational education for area students. At the core of the project are career education and preparation components. Project SOAR participants have access to an extensive career guidance and counseling program that includes (1) career awareness, (2) career exploration, and (3) career planning. Each component has a well-developed curriculum that is integrated into school programs. In addition, the Oklahoma City schools' career guidance and counseling program adapted the National Career Development Guidelines developed by the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee.
Each of the eleven middle schools and twelve high schools in the district has a Career Resource Center (CRC) to serve every student as well as many adults in the community. The CRCs, which are funded collaboratively through Project SOAR, Metro Tech, and the vocational-technical education program, serve as a hub for dispensing information and for developing the school's career curriculum. Students earn one credit in the CRC by completing a comprehensive career development curriculum that includes making a video interview, learning the "Top Jobs in the 2000s," "dressing for success," and completing a four-year education plan. CRC maintains a portfolio, containing assessment data, coursework, successes, honors, a résumé, and a career plan, for every student on both disk and hard copy. Students, counselors, and teachers routinely use the computers and other resources in the CRCs.
Springdale High School's Career Guidance and Counseling Program
Linda Auman, Counselor Coordinator/Vocational Coordinator
Springdale
Public Schools
1103 W. Emma Street
Springdale, AR 72764
(501)
750-8883
The Career Guidance and Counseling Program of Springdale High School (SHS) is part of a total team effort within the school to help approximately 1,600 students every year prepare for the world of work and/or further education. SHS students receive intensive career guidance and counseling by (1) taking a one-semester Career Orientation course in 8th grade during which their learning styles, career interests, and aptitudes are assessed; (2) building their career portfolio; (3) participating in guidance activities that stress teamwork, conflict resolution, and use of leisure time; (4) selecting a career major and developing a program of study during their 10th grade year; (5) taking the ASSET by ACT and/or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery in their junior years; (6) attending the College Fair and Career Fair during their junior and senior years; and (7) maximizing the career resources available at the school's Career Center, a state-of-the-art facility.
A teacher advisory system, based on a Career Action Plan (CAP), makes it possible to respond to the career guidance needs of this large number of students. Teacher advisors, trained by counselors, meet monthly with approximately twenty students. The commitment of counselors, teachers, parents, administrators, business and industry, and students to continue improving the guidance program at SHS accounts for the success of the program in (1) exposing students and parents to different educational and occupational opportunities, (2) responding to the counseling needs of a diverse group of students, and (3) assisting students to successfully transition from school to work and/or postsecondary education.
Career Development Center
Marcela Rodgers-Vieira, Counselor/Coordinator
San Joaquin Delta
College
5151 Pacific Avenue
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 474-5674
San Joaquin Delta College (SJDC) is a state-supported community college located in a low socioeconomic area in Stockton, California, with an estimated enrollment of 18,000 students. The student population is highly diverse with 48% white, 20% Hispanic, 6% black, and 26% Asian and others. To prepare SJDC students for the challenges of a changing workplace and increased global competition, the Career Development Center (CDC) assists all students and potential students at San Joaquin Delta College with the much needed career life planning process. The CDC framework is based on the National Career Development Guidelines, California Community College (CCC) Student Matriculation Plan, CCC Quality Indicators for Gender Equity and Single Parent/Homemaker Programs, career development theories (e.g., John Holland), and other career development resources. The purpose of the CDC is to (1) enhance students' self-knowledge and (2) refine skills in seeking and processing information, analyzing career problems, formulating creative solutions, choosing the most promising career opportunities, and implementing plans to accomplish goals that integrate their personal and career aspirations. The career life planning process empowers students to face career problems and crises, as well as acquire skills and hone capabilities to manage their own career development over a lifetime. CDC offers numerous services, including assistance on educational, career, and occupational exploration; decision making and goal setting; scholarship/financial aid information; résumé writing; college orientation; child care grants; and interview skills. The strategies used by CDC staff in reaching out to students are individual assistance, group presentations and workshops, a sequence of one unit career development courses, and independent study.
JOBS Program--OWLS (Older, Wiser, Learning Students)
Sue Stidham, JOBS Program Director
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
College
P.O. Box 3989
200 I Street Northeast
Miami, OK 74353
(918)
542-8441
Designed to assist individuals who have dropped out of schools, who are trapped in low-paying jobs, who receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), and who are displaced homemakers, the JOBS Program is located at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma. This program, known as OWLS (Older, Wiser, Learning Students), has given these individuals the hope and the opportunity to become self-sufficient and to break the cycle of dependency on the welfare system. The program collaborates with various agencies such as the Department of Human Services, Job Training Agency, Native American organizations, area churches, and community action groups in helping these adult students realize their dream of obtaining an education.
Prior to admission to the program, OWLS participants complete a comprehensive intake process that involves an evaluation of cognitive, behavioral, and social skills, as well as needs, interests, and abilities. Students work with counselors in making educational and career decisions. When admitted to the program, students sign a contractual agreement to ensure program compliance and student success. Counseling services include individual and family therapy, physical and sexual abuse therapy, substance abuse counseling, parenting, and educational services. An essential educational service that the older, wiser, learning students receive is the availability of highly qualified tutors in math, science, health science, and English. These tutors also assist in delivering the employability module that includes "Return to Learn," résumé building, and job readiness skills.
The Pathway Program
Tonjua Williams, Coordinator
St. Petersburg Junior College
P.O.
Box 13489
St. Petersburg, FL 33733
(813) 341-3767
The Pathway Program paves the way for aspiring disadvantaged and other underrepresented students to enter the Nursing and Allied Health programs in St. Petersburg Junior College. The program takes pride in its strong career guidance component and other services that enable students to increase their self-esteem and self-advocacy; improve their socialization, work, and study skills; gain knowledge on conflict resolution and problem solving; and make career decisions that match their interests, abilities, and aptitudes. Services provided to Pathway participants include counseling, remediation, tutoring, assessment, financial assistance, resources, mentoring, career shadowing, and a well-planned curriculum. Pathway students sign individualized contracts that outline expectations and requirements they have to fulfill. In addition, students have access to the services offered by other resource centers such as the New Initiative Program and Career Center. Successful graduates become ambassadors of the program. The impact of the program to students is captured best by one graduate's remark: "I want to give back what was given to me."
Student Services/Counseling Program
Michael Crehan, Counselor
Renton Technical College
3000 NE 4th
Street
Renton, WA 98056
(206) 235-5840
The Student Services/Counseling program, an integral part of the Renton Technical College in Renton, Washington, serves a diverse student population that has an average age of 32 years. The program was established to serve all students, not just those who come to the counseling center. Guided by the National Career Development Guidelines and A Guide for Counseling and Guidance Services in Washington State, counselors are achieving their goals of facilitating (1) lifelong learning competencies; (2) personal effectiveness competencies required for social and personal development; and (3) life role competencies in multiple settings, including school, home, work, and community. Students' basic skills, interests, and aptitudes are assessed to determine career direction. Counselors assist students in setting educational and life goals and in making appropriate career choices. They also act as a liaison among students, agencies, faculty, and administrators. To enhance students' success, the program provides support services, including counseling, financial aid information, co-op placement, job fairs, career fairs, tutoring, transportation, child care, and mentoring. The program has been successful in graduating approximately 1,200 students from the various occupational programs each year.