Career Pathways

WBLAS is dedicated to helping students make informed decisions about their career choice and post-secondary plans. We strive to support students in creating and aligning their educational and career opportunities based on their career goals and industry standards. Pathways may direct students to enroll in 2 or 4-year colleges or directly into the workforce.

Automotive Career Pathway

Business Career Pathway

JOIN DECA!

New for the 2024-25 academic year, DECA will be incorporated into our Business Career Pathway, preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. DECA will be incorporated into our brand new course, Merchandising/DECA, in which enrolled students will take leadership in running and managing the new school store!

Find more at the 916 Career Tech Center
Entrepreneurship, Travel and Social Media Marketing

Communication Technology

Construction Career Pathway

Education Career Pathway

Future Bear Educators - COMING FALL 2024!

Beginning Fall 2024, White Bear Lake Area Schools will be developing and implementing a Grow Your Own program, compliments of state grant funding awarded to our district. The WBLAS program will be called Future Bear Educators. This program will partner with existing Ethnic Studies courses to cultivate passionate future educators who reflect the vibrant makeup of the WBLAS community.

In partnering with the School of Education at Minneapolis College, students will have the opportunity to enroll in five concurrent enrollment courses, all foundational and required courses when pursuing and obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Teaching.

Students will be required to participate in summer internship opportunities and will be provided wrap-around support through academic advising, financial aid guidance, planning and goal setting for post-secondary education and field trips.

Students will also have the opportunity to join the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), a national Career and Technical Student Organization for high school students interested in the field of education and family and consumer sciences.

Please contact Ms. Olson or your Counselor if you are interested in registering for these Education Pathway courses next year!

Engineering & Manufacturing Career Pathway

Family and Consumer Sciences

NEW CLASS!

School Grounds Coffee Shop is a brand new course, offering students interested in hospitality and the food service industry the opportunity to experience this career by staffing and managing the high school's very own coffee shop! Students will earn the ServSafe Food Handler National Certification upon completion of the course. Students will staff the coffee shop during their open period during the school day and complete coursework in an online format.

Health & Wellness Career Pathway

Join HOSA!

HOSA is a global student-led organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. HOSA actively promotes career opportunities in the health industry and empowers Future Health Professionals through education, collaboration and experience.

WBLAHS has a local HOSA student organization that actively competes state and nation-wide each year.

Find more at the 916 Career Tech Center:
Dental Careers
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Information Technology Career Pathway

Career Pathways includes the following.

Course sequences starting from beginner to advanced level training.
Opportunities to earn free college credit through a concurrent enrollment course.
Opportunities to earn an industry credential to maximize your employment opportunities after high school.

Ready for more?

Some students may complete an entire Pathway before graduation and have room in their schedules to continue education and training beyond what WBLAHS has to offer.

So what could be next?

916 Career Tech Center - Provides additional industry-specific high school courses and training. They may also have industry programming that WBLAHS may not have capacity to offer at all.
PSEO (Post Secondary Enrollment Options)- Provides the opportunity to enroll for free in a 2 or 4-year college or university to begin a degree specific to a career or industry. *Students must meet the college's admission requirements for program participation.

Summer Employment Opportunities

A benefit to participating in Career Pathways courses is the opportunity to get real-world employment experience in your industry of choice before graduating high school! WBLAHS partners with the local community to provide summer part and full-time employment opportunities in career pathway industries just for WBL students!

Summer employment is typically advertised to students in the spring.

Information for Industry Partners

The WBL Career Pathways Team works with local industry partners to create and align academic offerings and career exploration opportunities based on their specific workforce needs.

Opportunities include but are not limited to:

apprentice readiness
field trips
guest speaking
employment opportunities
job site tours
scholarships
sponsorships
student visits in The College & Career
summer camps
site visits
teacher sponsorship
class mentor

Upcoming Career Pathways Events

Manufacturing Month, October-
Oct. 30- Plant Tour, International Paper

Employer Visit, Schwing America Inc- Presentation & Touch a Truck (Date TBA)

Career Connect Day,
October 15- Saint Paul RiverCenter

Future Bear Educators, Spring Semester- 9-12th graders can register in a concurrent enrollment-based teacher preparation pathway with the goal of recruiting these students to return to WBLAS as teachers! This pathway has a specific focus that within the pathway will be a reflection of the vibrant diversity that makes up our district.

Test Drive, December 2024- A highly interactive reality simulation for all Juniors sponsored by Royal Credit Union.

Career Fair, March 4, 2025

Career Pathways Coordinator,
Katy Olson katy.olson@isd624.org