As educators, we've all heard of work-based learning. Also, we have all had at least one student approach us with the question, “How will this help me in the real world?” Every year, teachers are reminded of the academic requirements they must help their students fulfill....
I was at the annual NACAC (National Association for College Admissions Counseling) conference in Boston in September. The conference invited thousands of counselors from around the nation to learn more about preparing our students for the changing world. There were many seminars offered, but there was one...
I find it so shocking when, in this day and age, I hear people comment on how someone who didn’t pursue college as a post secondary option is “uneducated.” During the last elections, I lost count of how many times “uneducated” and “does not have...
I gave a presentation on work experience in college two weeks ago to a group of 80 college juniors. Most companies recruit juniors in their Fall semester for summer internship programs so we were discussing everyone’s favorite topic: internships. Many were nervous about their upcoming...
It’s that time of the year! Teachers are swamped with writing letters of recommendation, counselors are busy reviewing college essays, parents are doing their best to keep track of all the college visits, and students are making sure all of the above are actually getting...
“Can’t I just take a couple career assessments? Then I’ll know what career is right for me.” When I was in eighth grade, my advisor asked all of her students to take a career assessment. I knew I wanted to be a doctor, and the career...
I was speaking to a colleague recently. This is someone who has spent 15+ years implementing high school internships and other work-based learning programs. We were discussing the concerns parents have around their child pursuing work experience. “There’s a real fear among parents that if their...
Every two weeks, I meet 50 or so high school students that have signed themselves up for an intensive career development conference….on a weekend. These are some of the most motivated students I’ve met, and I love their desire to step outside of their academic...
The recent discussions surrounding the educational pressures in Palo Alto beg an important question: What does a successful student look like in our community? How do we define success in high school, and does that answer differ from how we should be defining it for...
I have had the pleasure of speaking with and working alongside administrators from over 200 high schools in California. In doing so, I’ve noticed a trend. My work is primarily centered around implementing and improving work-based learning programs, and there are three big mistakes that I've...