School to Careers Program

If you have further questions after reading these FAQs, please do not hesitate to contact the School to Careers Coordinator. (Contact info can be found at the bottom of this page.)

Q: Who is eligible to apply for the School to Careers program?

A: Students enrolled at Pendleton High School, Hawthorne Alternative School, and Nixyaawii Community School are invited to apply. Eligibility for a placement will be based on satisfactory school attendance, academic standing, and behavior history, and may be at the discretion of school administration.

Q: Where will I be placed for my career related learning experience?

A: Your placement will depend on the opportunities available with our participating partners. There are opportunities in many types of career fields. The Coordinator will work to match you with an opportunity that works for your interests and skills.

Q: What will I be doing?

A: Depending on the type of opportunity and your placement, you may be involved a variety of activities from observing at a workplace to hands-on tasks and more. The Coordinator will work with you and the participating partner to create a meaningful experience.

Q: When will my placement start and end? When will it take place?

A: Check with ASPIRE or Counseling office or with the Careers teacher to get a current schedule of upcoming Job Shadow Days. Internships begin and end at a variety of times during the school year.

Q: Will I have to miss school to participate in a career related learning experience? Do I need an open period in my schedule?

A: In general, the placement opportunities available to you will take place outside of school hours (in the afternoons, evenings, and weekends). Work site tours may take place during school hours as a field trip. There may be a small number of placements that can take place during an open period for a semester.

Q: Can I get credit for doing a career related work experience?

A: As with other work experience, you may earn one elective credit for 65 hours spent in career related learning experiences (up to two elective credits total). For some internship placements, there may be a possibility to earn proficiency-based CTE credits.

Q: Do I have to be enrolled in CTE classes to apply for the program?

A: No.

Q: Do I have to be a certain age to apply?

A: No, all high school aged students enrolled at Pendleton High School, Hawthorne Alternative School, and Nixyaawii Community School can apply.

Q: Do I need to have a certain GPA to apply?

A: There is no GPA cutoff to apply for the program. Keep in mind that the program is not meant to take the place of your academic studies and it is up to you to ensure that you can fulfill requirements for both the program placement and your schoolwork.

Q: Can I apply for a career related learning experience if I’m also in athletics, band, a club, or another extracurricular activity?

A: Yes! The Coordinator can help you with your initial scheduling, but it is up to you to make sure you have time for all your commitments. If you have scheduling conflicts during your placement, for example, to be at a game or tournament, you must notify your placement supervisor as soon as possible.

Q: What if I already have a job?

A: You can apply to the program if you already have a job. It is your responsibility to manage your schedule for your placement and other commitments. You can earn work experience credits for both up to two elective credits total.

Q: Do I have to sign anything like a contract to participate in the program?

A: For most placements you will be asked to sign a Work Site Learning Agreement that will lay out all the details of your placement and expectations.

Q: Do I have to also apply to the business where I want to do my placement? Who do I call?

A: The Coordinator will set up your placement and let you know who to call if necessary. You do not need to make the initial contact with someone at the business or company that you interested in.

Q: I know of a business where I’d like to have some work experience and I’ve been talking to them about doing that. What should I do know?

A: We are happy to add businesses who are interested in being a part of the program! Please let us know who you are interested in working for in your interest form or in an email, and the Coordinator will make the contact. You can also have someone at the business call the Coordinator as well.

Q: What is involved in the “pre-placement training?”

A: Students involved in a program placement will need to complete a short Career Skills Training session before starting a placement. This training will cover basic workplace etiquette, interpersonal communication skills, interview skills, and the importance of a drug-free workplace. The Coordinator will let you know when and where to attend a session.

Q: What is involved in the “evaluation process?” Do I have to take a test?

A: One of the most important parts of your career related learning experience is your reflection on your placement and the feedback that you will receive from your supervisor. You may be required to fill out a short reflection form and/or meet with the coordinator. More may be required to gain proficiency-based CTE credits, as applicable.

Q: Will I get paid for my internship or work experience?

A: The majority of placements will be unpaid, though there may be a small number of paid opportunities for longer term internships.

Q: How do I get to my placement? Do I have to have a car?

A: In most cases, it will be your responsibility to get to and from your placement. The Coordinator may be able to help you connect with transportation options if needed.

Q: Does my parent/guardian need to sign for me to apply?

A: A parent/guardian needs to sign your application and should be aware of the expectations of your placement. Any parent or guardian should feel free to call the Supervisor to discuss a student’s placement at any time.

Q: What do I do if I can’t make it to my placement? Who do I call?

A: It is your responsibility to call your placement supervisor right away if you cannot make it to one or more of your scheduled placements. Your placement should be treated like a job; commitment and attendance is important to your success in the program.

Q: Can I be “fired” from my career related work experience?

A: As with any job, you will have expectations to meet to continue in your placement. Even if you are off campus, you will need to abide by your student code of conduct as a representative of your school and the program. You will also need to abide by any additional standards or expectations that are applicable where you are completing your placement. If this is not followed, your placement may be canceled at any time by your placement supervisor, the Coordinator, or school staff.

Q: What do I do if I have concerns about my placement? Can I “quit” my career related learning experience?

A: You can contact the Coordinator at any time if you have concerns about your placement and we will work to find a solution.

For more information contact:

Patti Hyatt
School to Careers Coordinator
(509) 833-0685
Email

Pendleton Chamber of Commerce
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