Externship Early Employment Preparation Leading to College and Career Success

Steve Uthus – Counselor Mission Viejo High School Four Year Planning For College and Careers In Grades 9-12

Location Sites/Timeline Externship took place at 3 sites between March and July 2009 One-Stop Center, 125 Technology Dr. West, Ste. 200, Irvine Irvine Youth Employment, Yale Ave. Irvine The Bridge, Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, San Juan Capistrano

Industry Professionals The Bridge – Kristina English Irvine Youth Employment Services – Karen Springer One-Stop Center – Diana Agag-Maxwell

One Stop Center EDD offers a variety of services through a One- Stop delivery system. A list of Workshops are listed daily for enrollees use as shown here. Youth ages 18+ may access services through self service or with the assistance of staff. Individual computer stations are available for job search and resumes.

One Stop Center Services include job search workshops that teach skills needed to find and keep a job. Telephone stations assist with job search activities. Internet-based CalJOBS assistance. Referral to training, education, and support services providers. A job board lists many openings and training opportunities.

Irvine Youth Employment Services Assists young adults ages 16 to 25 in employment counseling, referrals and job placement IYES office and helpful staff at right Staff meet with youth to match applicants with employers

Irvine Youth Employment Services Staff facilitate group workshops in resume and interview preparation. Announcements for workshops, job fairs and job openings are clearly posted Two annual job fairs are held in October and April, bringing employers and applicants together.

The Bridge Targets in-school and out- of-school youth from 16 to 21 who have barriers to employment. The Bridge office in San Juan and the day’s planned activities Conducts outreach & recruitment, assessment, job placement and follow up for at risk youth

The Bridge Provide structured program including life skills, Customer Service training, job readiness courses, goal setting and occupation skills training Computer stations and job postings help youth with resumes and job searches Conducts job develpment

What’s In It For Saddleback College In California, barely half of all community college students who intend to transfer to a four-year college or earn an associate’s degree or vocational certificate do so over six years, according to the state. Other researchers say the rate is lower, about 24%.

Contributing Factors Poor high school preparation Personal problems Low motivation in high school Working too many hours

Incorporating Into Classroom Students will learn how to use the resources within the One Stop office, Irvine Youth Employment and the Bridge to connect them to job preparation and opportunities. Counselors can better assist students with making the connection between transferable skills attained in high school and careers. Students can better assess their post high school preparation at community college in either a certificate, associate degree or transfer to 4 year college option.

Incorporating Into Classroom As high school counselors we go into the classrooms of all students grades 9-12 and present career/college information each year. A new focus on early career preparation with an emphasis on coursework transferable skills, volunteering, internships, and part time work experience highlighting transferable skills. The use of these externship resources, earlier in their lives, will better prepare them to complete their individual educational/career goals, in these new economic times.

Lessons Learned/Highlights Learned how these three sites provide resources to assist in job readiness, preparation and placement Heard experiences of young adults Job Developer feedback Attended workshop at One Stop Center Encourage students to find their own path that stays true to who they are as an individual

Lessons learned/Highlights Project based learning in the classroom lends itself to students working in teams, with roles based on interests and skills where all learning styles are supported. Classroom integration of transferable skills including communication, collaboration, problem solving, adaptability, initiative and leadership. These are important skills for careers and life.