Collaboration Creates Choices On The Path To Student Success!
Article Submitted by Lizanne Ippolito
Hillsborough County Public Schools Career and Technical Education and Hi-Tech Centers partner with Hillsborough Community College in a consortium designed to promote career choices through the development of Programs of Study and Career Pathways for college and career goals for students in the district. From exploration of career choices in middle school to the transitioning of high school seniors to postsecondary education; the Career Pathways Consortium is focused on providing students with the vision and means to reach their educational goals. Career Pathways (CP) assists students, teachers, guidance counselors, and parents with educational plans through Programs of Study that map out a 4-year course selection intended to provide students with a rigorous, relevant high school course schedule, ensuring the student will be ready to enter postsecondary education in their career-focused area. Hillsborough’s Career Pathways Consortium will be coordinating events this year for students to get an abbreviated view of what campus life and educational experiences are like at the Hi-Tech Centers and Hillsborough Community College.
Career Program Choice Exploration
Middle School CP initiatives focus on providing students with career exploration in technical career fields through events that expose students to life after high school and the postsecondary educational opportunities available locally. On April 9th, all five HCC campuses will host 8th grade students from around the district in CSI: CAREER SEEKING INVESTIGATION. During CSI, the students will investigate the real world professional career opportunities available to students, and they will seek evidence of what educational planning is needed to prepare for college and careers.
The Race Is On For Seniors To Find Postsecondary Choices!
High School CP initiatives provide seniors with the opportunity to participate in AMAZING RACE at HCC and Hi-Tech Trek at the Hi-Tech Centers. During Amazing Race, HCC Dale Mabry Campus will host technical programs from 5 campuses as they set up stations for students to experience. During this event, high school seniors tour the campus and “RACE” to explore the technical programs and the resulting career pathways available through HCC. Educational opportunities continue in April when the Hi-Tech Centers will host HI-TECH TREK on April 6th for seniors. All 4 Hi-Tech centers will set up exhibits and booths at Erwin Tech and Learey Tech to give high school seniors a chance to “TREK” the campuses and experience the technical training offered at the centers. Both events allow students to explore programs, learn what financial assistance is available, how to apply, program entry information, and career pathways available through skills gained in the technical programs offered at HCC and Hi-Tech Centers.
Career Pathway initiatives include development of articulation agreements with postsecondary institutions to provide credit for college level course work completed by high school students in select high school technical programs. This year, Career and Technical Education/Career Pathways will be awarding Certification of Completion to students who complete a CP Program of Study. The certificate will include information related to “free college credit” awaiting them at the postsecondary institutions in our community.
For more information on Career Pathway Initiatives contact Lizanne Ippolito at 813-231-1881 or email at Lizanne.Ippolito@sdhc.k12.fl.us.
