Career Pathways Newsletter

Don't Just Take a Class -- Build a Career

Welcome to the Trimester 2 edition of the White Bear Lake Area Schools Career Pathways eNewsletter! As we move into the heart of the school year, we are excited to celebrate the incredible momentum our students built during Trimester 1—from our Future Bear Educators gaining hands-on classroom experience to our Certified Nursing Assistant students achieving a 100% pass rate in their CNA coursework. These successes highlight what makes our nine Career Pathways so unique: they aren't just classes, but launchpads for the future. With registration for next year now upon us, there is no better time for students and families to explore how our programming can turn interests into high-demand careers through college credit, industry certifications, and our upcoming work-based learning opportunities.

Don't forget to check out the important event dates at the end! Spoiler Alert: The Career Pathways Career Fair is happening in January!

Sincerely,
Katy Olson
Career Pathways Coordinator

⚡ Map Your Future: Registration is Here!

It’s time to stop just taking classes and start building a career! As students and their families plan for schedules next year, we urge you to prioritize courses within our nine dynamic Career Pathways!

Whether your student wants to "dip a toe" into a fascinating industry or take a deep, career-launching dive, our Pathways offer the perfect fit. We provide everything from exciting entry-level introductions to advanced, in-depth subjects that give students an unparalleled advantage.

Why choose a Career Pathway course?

• Gain College Credit: Many courses offer the chance to earn valuable concurrent enrollment college credit (saving you thousands!).

• Get Certified: Students can work toward earning industry certifications that immediately boost their resume and job readiness.

• Future-Proof Skills: Explore high-demand fields like Healthcare, Education, Construction, and more.

Don't wait! Review the comprehensive Career Pathways Course Guide today to explore the incredible variety of courses that will launch your student's future. These aren't just electives—they are direct steps toward college and career success!

What to watch for! Fall 2026, Career Pathways will be launching its official work-based learning program! 

• Career Preparation, HS4857
  (Grades 11-12, Prerequisite: Career Investigation or Instructor Approval)
  1 Trimester / .5 Credit
  
  Discover a career that fits you! Find and apply to a job that aligns with your interests. Build the employability skills needed to keep it. Learn how to stand out to employers, communicate confidently and make sense of the money you earn. Understand your rights and safety at work. This course provides real-world experience and gives you the tools needed to take the next step.
   

• Career Experience, HS4858
  (Grades 11-12, Prerequisite: Career Preparation)
  1 Trimester / .5 Credit
  *May be taken multiple times.
  
  Ready to go pro? This culminating course is your opportunity to complete a supervised work experience in the career field you're excited about. You’ll put your employability skills into practice, from preparing for the job to your final day on site. Along the way, you’ll gain real-world experience and practice workplace safety, professional behavior, teamwork and effective communication in a workplace setting. This isn’t just a course, it’s a resume-boosting, work-based learning experience where you will learn the skills necessary for your future career.

Career Pathways students are getting paid to complete mandatory college requirements and launching into high-demand career years before their peers!

🚀 Future Educators: Launching Careers Before Graduation!

Get ready for an insider look at one of our most dynamic Career Pathway initiatives! During Trimester 1, 33 powerhouse students dove headfirst into the Future Bear Educator Program (Education Career Pathway).

Forget just thinking about a teaching career—these students were living it! They didn't just observe; they took charge, gaining hands-on experience teaching and leading in classrooms across the district. Not only did they explore their passion, but they were also strategically building their college transcript by earning concurrent enrollment college credit from Minneapolis College, courses that are required when pursuing a college degree in education.

But that's not all—they secured a truly unique paid internship! In partnership with White Bear Lake Area Schools Community Services, these future leaders worked directly with elementary students in after-school settings, gaining invaluable real-world skills in education and childcare. This program is more than a class; it’s providing insight and exposure to a future, high-demand career! Students are building their professional resume and getting paid for it—all before graduation!

Future Bear Educator students are getting ready to visit classes at Lincoln Elementary where they spent the day shadowing teachers and teaching lessons to students.

🩺 Healthcare Heroes: Certified and Ready to Work!

We are celebrating an outstanding students in our Health & Wellness Career Pathway! Our Trimester 1 Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students didn't just meet the mark—they crushed it!

• 100% of students successfully completed the rigorous CNA course.

• 31 students went on to take and pass the state's official certification exam and are now Certified Nursing Assistants!

Their achievement was honored at a special Pinning Ceremony on December 2nd, celebrating their official entry into the healthcare field. Best of all? Every one of these certified students is now qualified to gain PAID employment as a CNA while still in high school! Plus, they earned valuable concurrent enrollment college credit through Century College, giving them a massive head start. We were honored to have the Academic Dean for 

💰 Why This Matters for Minnesota: High Demand, Great Pay!

The healthcare field, especially for direct care roles like CNAs, is experiencing a critical workforce shortage in Minnesota. Our students are stepping up to fill a vital community need while launching a successful career, receiving an typical hourly pay of $19.65-$22.00+. 

Working as a CNA in high school provides crucial, paid, hands-on experience in the healthcare industry. This isn't just a job; it’s a direct pathway! Completing CNA training is often a required prerequisite for students who ultimately plan to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

🛠️ Middle School Spotlight: Transportation Day at Mariner

The excitement for Career Pathways is already revving up at the middle school level! In October, 8th graders at Mariner Middle School participated in "Transportation Day," a high-energy event designed to introduce students to the vast opportunities within the automotive industry. Rather than just listening to a presentation, students got behind the scenes with industry professionals for a true hands-on experience. They had the unique opportunity to try their hand at collision repair and refinishing, wheel and tire assembly, and explore the technical skills required for modern vehicle maintenance. By engaging with these trades early, our future Mariners are discovering how their interests can translate into high-paying, rewarding careers long before they set foot in the high school. It was an inspiring day of exploration that proved our Career Pathways are building momentum at every grade level!

Important Dates

Employer Speaker Series

• VistaTek (Manufacturing Career Pathway): January 8th @ 7:30am, Learning Commons
   
• Inver Grove Toyota (Automotive Career Pathway): January 22nd @ 11am, College & Career Center 

Career Fair

• working in that industry
• training or education required for employment
• typical day-to-day roles and responsibilities
• average starting wages and typical rate of pay increases timeline
• positions or internships available for high school students
• positions available directly after high school graduation