Student Career Opportunities

A career journey can be influenced by a variety of experiences gathered throughout time. Students may have volunteer or job experiences that provide additional insights into passion, mission, profession, and vocation. The opportunity to gain experience outside of a traditional classroom will help students to build skills and make clearer choices on their career, college, and life journey.

Employment and Career Development Postings

Career opportunities are posted in PathwaysOS (https://pathwayos.com/) and available for students to search the many experiences to engage in career exploration through:

Summer and Part-time employment
Job shadow
Mentorship
Career speakers

Students can log into PathwaysOS on their myElmbrook Links page. Additional support for navigating PathwaysOS can be found HERE. Students can also log service hours in PathwaysOS.

Students can work during the school day and earn credit through these Elmbrook Programs:

Career Employment Opportunity (CEO)

Students gain quality employability skills and have work release from school. Students will need to work a minimum of paid 20 hours per week and can enroll in the course in multiple terms. Students will reflect upon real-world work connections to the content and experience career-relevant workshops. Add CEO to your Infinite Campus course planner (Course ID 2301).

Additional optional certificate opportunities within CEO:

The Youth Leadership Certificate Program recognizes a students' mastery and demonstration of leadership skills valued by employers, communities and organizations. The certificate is awarded by the State of Wisconsin. This certificate is available in any career area.

90 hours accumulated over the course of high school
Paid wages are not required

Employability Skills Certificate Program recognizes students' master of employability skills valued by employers in a variety of worksite settings while helping students explore career interests. The certificate is awarded by the State of Wisconsin. This certificate is available in any career area.

90 hours accumulated over the course of high school
Paid wages are required

The State of WI Co-op Program certificate if the following is completed:

Complete the competencies on the student portfolio checklist
Complete two semesters of related classroom instruction integrating employability skills
Paid work experience under the supervision of a workplace mentor (minimum of 480 hours total)
Successful completion of 90% of the competencies as outlined on the applicable student portfolio checklist.

Co-op is currently available in the area of (co-op is not required in CEO):

Business
IT
Marketing

Youth Apprenticeship

Youth Apprenticeship allows employers to hire high school juniors and seniors for a one or two-year apprenticeship. During the apprenticeship, the student continues toward high school graduation and takes courses related to the profession as a way of enhancing what is being learned on the job. Students work 450 hours during one school year and can be released from school hours to work. Students are required to be enrolled in related curriculum courses and complete skills checklists.

Youth Apprenticeship Program Areas
You can add these selections to your Academic Planner in Infinite Campus!

Architecture & Construction (Course 2303C)
Art, A/V Technology & Communications (2303A)
Business/Finance/Marketing (2303B)
Information Technology (2303IT)
STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (2303S)
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (2303T)

Additional Career Areas Available Upon Request:

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Health Science
Hospitality, Lodging & Tourism
Manufacturing

Mentorship

Mentorship allows students to work with an employer/mentor within a specific career path in order to explore the industry, gain some valuable experiences, and continue to build a network for future experiences. These experiences can be paid or unpaid. Students earning 40 hours can earn .5 credits.

Sample agreement form

More information on the Mentorship Program can be found HERE.

How to get an Internship

USE THIS WORKSHEET TO HELP YOU ACCESS AN INTERNSHIP

Preparation

Students interested in pursuing a mentorship or internship experience should consider their career interests. Students who are unsure about what area to pursue should do some initial investigation before the commitment of a job experience.

Xello - every student can access this career and college tool in myElmbrook. It has amazing opportunities to read about different careers, take interest surveys, and analyze your career goals to help point you in the right direction.
Internet searches - there are so many opportunities to learn about careers through websites and videos posted online.
Interview neighbors, family, and friends about their careers. What are their jobs like? Can they speak to the skills and dispositions needed in their field? Perhaps they can help illuminate careers related to their own field? Maybe start with an interview or short job shadow experience.
Put together a resume. HERE is a sample. Do not list pages of volunteer work. One or two experiences/clubs are appropriate if related to the career field. Certification, career training, or coursework in the field are more important to highlight. (ie: CAD, Python, MOS, Power BI, AP research, etc.)
First impressions are important. Make sure your social media, email, and any other presence online are updated and professional. For example, students often leave their Gmail icon something silly they decided upon in their middle school years or haven’t updated their email signature.

Network

What organizations are you currently connected to?

Everyone has a network even if they don’t realize it. Consider the organizations you are already connected to, such as school, faith organizations, volunteer groups, club sports, etc. Students need to brainstorm who is on that list and how are those existing connections related to a possible career opportunity?

Sometimes just talking more with people you know about your interests will open up doors for you. Are you currently on any listservs for organizations related to your field? For example, MKE Tech hub and Medical College of WI. Organizations are always putting out news and events that might create a connection for you.

Pro tip: create an email account for all things college and career so everything gets filtered to one account and not to your school account.

Who do you know?

Consider asking your neighbors, relatives, friends’ parents, co-workers, etc. about their jobs and any connections they may have to job opportunities. You will be amazed at how much people are willing to help when they find out you are looking for an opportunity. Sometimes your neighbors, best friend’s sister has an opportunity! Be open to learning from someone new even if it is someone you haven’t met. Always talk to your parents before connecting with a stranger. All job placements for school credit will be required to go through a background check.

What jobs are posted online?

Students have been able to gain amazing opportunities at the college level by connecting with professors conducting research. Departments that are working with grant funding will post their work on the University's websites. This will give you a starting point to connect with people who share your interests. Students might start with an interview with a researcher and eventually get a spot with the team.

Pro Tip: Do NOT be afraid to make a phone call. Students too often rely on email and working professionals get a LOT of emails that can easily be forgotten. Be open to not getting exactly what you want - any opportunity will be a step forward.

Many entry-level positions are on job search sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. Students can search their area of interest and “Internship” in the Brookfield area. You will be amazed at how many positions are available. Many of these posts will want students in college, however, you might be well qualified if you have taken coursework in the field, have industry credentials, or have experience in the field. For example, students who have completed AP Comp Sci A (Java) successfully might be ready to start working in IT. It is okay to apply for jobs you are a little underqualified for.

Consider what programs employers have specifically designed for high school student engagement - ie: Northwestern Mutual, MCW Supremes, etc. Most hospitals have volunteer opportunities available to students and have online forms to show interest. This is a great opportunity to network.

Look at jobs on PathwaysOS. Student Guide HERE. Every high school student has access to myElmbrook. This is where all jobs that are brought to the school district are listed.

Pro Tip: Read your school announcements! Many opportunities for competitions, youth organizations, and college opportunities are listed in the announcements. Consider signing up for the daily email blasts or bookmark the link from your school announcements page!

Connect

Most organizations will want to interview any paid or unpaid individual coming into their organization. They are spending their time and investing in you. Make sure you prepare well for the interview. High school students are very busy and finding time might be challenging. Try not to overcommit and keep an important balance of work and downtime in your schedule.

If you have a job that you want high school credit for there are many opportunities during the school day to earn credit. Please see the Mentorship Guide for more information.