Mission

The mission of Career Connections is to provide students with the resources, experiences and opportunities to facilitate the understanding of the connection between education and the world of work; to equip them with the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in a global society and act as agents of change.

Overview

Southeast Raleigh High School students have many opportunities to benefit from the limitless resources which connect them to workplace realities through experiences such as job shadowing and internships.  These experiences result in the acquisition of first-hand knowledge pertaining to the skills, training and education requisite in many careers.  Students enrolled in the Career-Focused Learning Communities will be connected to mentors and career coaches.

Students gain exposure to career activities beginning with their freshman year. They also participate in career-focused activities during their sophomore and junior years.  Through these experiences, students gain pertinent information based on interests, skills and personality which provides direction in making decisions as they matriculate through high school.  Students will have the opportunity to access the North Carolina Bridges Career Explorer inventory during their freshman year.  This wonderful resource provides access to information such as the best college to attend for a particular career, the education required, hot jobs, salary information, number of individuals currently working in a particular profession in North Carolina.  This inventory is such a great tool that it can be utilized throughout the high school experience.

Career experiences and activities can be utilized as valuable instruments to aid in making course selections in high school, to decide what career pathway to enter, or to enter a Career-Focused Learning Community.  Career experiences and activities prepare our students for life after high school, whether they are entering a post-secondary education institution or going directly into the workforce, as they gain a strong understanding of what is required to realize their career goals and to succeed in the world of work. These experiences are important in helping students gain a clear understanding of the purpose of education. Career experiences connect education to the world of work and demonstrate how education can translate into a rewarding career.

Job Shadowing

Students at Southeast Raleigh High School have opportunities to job shadow.  Job shadowing is a work-based learning experience, placing students in the work environment as a way of learning about career options that are realistic. These experiences provide students with the opportunity to network and develop ongoing relationships with professionals. Ranging from one to several days in duration, job shadows are rich experiences which result in education becoming more meaningful for students.

Students have the opportunity to job shadow during National Groundhog Job Shadow Day and anytime during their junior year. Job Shadowing is also a built-in component of each of the Career-Focused Learning Communities.

Students interested in job shadowing must complete and submit an application and interview with the Career Development Coordinator.  Transition Services provides resources to place learning disabled students in job shadowing opportunities.

Internships

Students at Southeast Raleigh High School have unique opportunities to participate in internships related to their career objectives.  Flexible scheduling allows for this work-related experience anytime during the school year.  Each Career-Focused Learning Community has internship opportunities. 

Through these internships, students learn to take on responsible roles as workers in organizations by observing and reflecting about what happens while they are in the workplace.  The internship program adds significantly to the vitality of the instructional program at Southeast Raleigh High School and impacts courses the students take in preparation for an Internship.

Students apply for an internship after meeting with their counselors.  An internship interest form is completed and students interview with the School-to-Career Coordinator. Students take ownership of the process while following established guidelines. 

Career Center Overview

Students, staff and parents are able to access valuable resources through the Career Development Center. 

Resources are available which pertain to the four Career-focused Learning Communities (Information Technology, MedScience/Biotechnology, Engineering and Digital Arts).  

These materials are instrumental in providing information to our students in reference to education, training, and skills requisite for many careers, as students decide which Career-focused Learning Community or career pathway to enter. 

These resources also assist our students in planning and preparation as they enter post-secondary education institutions or go directly into the workforce after high school.

Career Center Mini-Centers

The Career Development Center houses mini-centers pertaining to test prep skills (SAT, ACT, AP as well as general test prep), career planning and preparation, college planning and financial planning.  Our Career Planning and Preparation mini-centers house a number of resources which include information pertaining to many careers, interviewing skills, resume preparation, completing an application, and communication skills.

The College Planning mini-center houses numerous four and two-year college catalogs and applications, and scholarship information.  Students can reference information on how to select the right college, the college application process, competitive colleges, how to write college essays, and a wide range of financial aid planning information in the Career Center.

Career Center Resources are available for staff which can be used in Academic Coach and in the regular curriculum.  Staff can obtain classroom resources for reading improvement, team building, test prep, articles on college and career, and guides for helping students overcome personal problems.  Copies of the AC curriculum are included, as are other books, guides, and educational games are available in the Career Development Center.

SRHS has a mini-center for parents within the Career Development Center where parents can access information pertaining to a variety of subjects.   Parents can acquire information on parenting teens, communicating, teen issues and high-risk behaviors.  Parents are encouraged to utilize all these resources.

Career Center Technology

Students can access Bridges Career Explorer to conduct searches pertaining to careers, education, salary and labor market information, view personal interviews with individuals currently working in a variety of careers, and practice decision-making.

Students also use the Career Development Center computers to access a number of other websites which are useful resources for college and planning.