Career Pathways Newsletter

Business Career Pathway Student Job Shadows District Communications

WBLAHS Senior and Business Career Pathway student, Kylie Petty, has been job shadowing WBLAS District Communications to learn about a career in journalism. On February 4, Kylie visited Matoska Elementary to interview the Winter Carnival Royalty. She interviewed the new royalty and got a first-hand look at what it takes to produce and tell stories for District 624 families.

After graduation, Kylie plans to attend Drake University to major in Journalism and Mass Communications with a Minor in French or Linguistics. "I want to be a journalist, preferably a print journalist, but I want to try different mediums of journalism. Being a part of a job shadow has shown me how to ask brief and effective questions for interviews, and how to use visual media, like pictures, to tell a story. I really enjoyed learning how to use a camera to capture what I want to say. Journalism is important because it is a way for people to stay connected to, and to stay updated on, the events happening in their community and in the world. Without journalism, there would be no way for current events, history, or the stories of individuals to circulate and to reach and impact other people." Way to go Kylie!

Kylie  interviews Winter Royalty

Career Pathway Students Visit University of Minnesota Visible Heart Lab

On February 22, Health & Wellness Career Pathway students visited the University of Minnesota's Visible Heart Lab for the first time since the pandemic started. Career Pathway Teacher, Dustin Holman, said the students "toured the lab which included: extensive discussions with top heart surgeons and biomedical engineers; opportunities to analyze and manipulate various human cadaver hearts; the ability to experiment with cutting edge medical virtual reality equipment; and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness and feel a real heart in action via an on-site practice open heart surgery that they performed on an anesthetized pig."

This field trip was made possible thanks to generous donations from our Bear Pride Sponsors. Without local industry partner support, we would not be able to help our students experience amazing opportunities like this one. Donors like H.B. Fuller's Community Affairs Group offer financial support to "provide equipment and quality experiences at worksites for students exploring career opportunities."

Jeremiah learns about open heart surgery

WBLAHS Graduate Featured in GTCUW Panel

2019 Graduate, Phyllica DeHoop was recently featured in the statewide Greater Twin Cities United Way Career Academies Convening Meeting. Phyllica, who was an active Health & Wellness Career Pathway student throughout her high school career, shared her story about how she positively benefited from WBLAS Career Pathways. Experiences like an ICU job shadow, multiple field trips, lunch & learns, Scrubs Camp, and a fully paid for Certified Nursing Assistant program has allowed Phyllica to excel in her Nursing Program. In fact, she will be graduating this year as a Registered Nurse. We are so proud of Phyllica! Go Bears!

2019 Graduate Phyllica DeHoop

Black Excellence Club visits Century College Fab Lab

WBL Career Pathways is honored to provide grant funding in partnership with the Vadnais Heights Area Community Foundation (VHACF) to support the Black Excellence Club's (BEC) desire to learn about STEM Careers this year. This month, WBLAHS students visited the Century College Fab Lab to learn about a variety of STEM programs offered at Century College, as well as, a variety of careers they could explore after high school.

Thanks to VHACF for supporting important initiatives like these. WBLAS Educational Equity Specialist and BEC Leader, Miles Webb, said the field trip "helped students gather important information that can be added to their future plans." Thank you to the Century College Team for hosting our students!

Pictured left to right: Shahd, Mariam, and Sanyu

Double-Sided Light Trainer on Display in the Automotive Classroom

Thanks to a generous Walser Foundation grant, Automotive Career Pathway Students have a fun way to learn about electricity and circuits through guided curriculum and hands-on exploration. When Automotive Career Pathway Instructor, Derek Doescher, reached out to his advisory board regarding important concepts and topics to be covered in class, one of the top responses was learning about electricity.

As a result, WBL Career Pathways applied for a Walser Foundation grant and purchased the double-sided light trainer. Doescher adds, "the light trainer has made the students excited to learn and they cannot wait until it's their turn! Through playing with the board, students are gaining a lot of experience with electricity and circuits." These experiences will help students as they gear up to apply for summer internships with local automotive employers in partnership with the Youth Skills Training Program through Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry.

Ben and Manden on the Light Trainer

AVID Monthly Guest Speakers are a HIT!

During the 2021-22 school year, WBL Career Pathways partnered up with the WBLAHS - North Campus AVID Team to offer a monthly guest speaker series to expose students to a variety of careers. On February 25, Director of Parks & Recreation of New Brighton, Jenn Fink spoke to 45+ students on the exciting careers in Parks & Recreation.

Fink shared about jobs from golf to therapeutic services, marketing to human resources. She helped students understand that they could work for cities, states, local communities, and even in the local ice arenas! From murals to vaccine clinics, Parks & Rec has it all! Fink also shared a variety of post-secondary studies students could explore. If you are interested in highlighting your career industry, email jennifer.moore@isd624.org today!

Thank You to:

• Kerri Bosch for speaking with Health & Wellness Career Pathway students about careers in Neuroscience and Neuropsychology.
• All the industry partners who showed up for our annual career pathway advisory council meetings. Your time and feedback are greatly appreciated because it helps us make informed decisions regarding our action items for the upcoming school year. Thank you so much!

ARE YOU STILL HIRING?

Send jennifer.moore@isd624.org your job description today!