Career Connections

Welcome to Career Connections

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Our students' careers will begin after high school whether they choose to continue career preparation through two- and four-year colleges, trade or technical schools, apprenticeships, on-the-job training or military service or enter the workforce directly after high school.  The Wesbrook High School Career Connections initiative aims to provide students with opportunities to apply academic learning through workplace experiences and help them focus on realistic career choices and preparation for those future careers.  

Westbrook High School invites parents, industry, business and community partners to assist the school in building the talent pipeline and preparing students for their future careers.   Scroll down for a list of our current partners.

Leslie Carson

Career/College Readiness Coordinator

lcarson@westbrookctschools.org  

860.399.6214

 

 

Newsworthy

  • Westbrook High School Students Connect with Medical/Health Professionals

    On December 10, 2019, twenty-five juniors and seniors enjoyed learning about medical and health professions from a panel of professionals passionate about their occupations and excited about mentoring our students to successful careers.   The panel discussion was moderated by Joshua Kelly from Junior Achievement, a Westbrook High School Career Connections partner.   Students learned about career options they may not have known about and learned what it takes to be successful in those fields.  

    A huge thank you to our panelists:

    Sara Zaientz, LCSW, Clinical Director at Westbrook Youth and Family Services

    Michelle Bailey, Chief Operations Officer and Fitness Coordinator at Project Courage

    Dr. Elisabeth Kressley, Psychiatrist affiliated with Yale New Haven Hospital specializing in Adolescent Medicine Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychiatry.

    Karen James, Director of Human Resources at Middlesex Health Hospital

    Carrie Northcott, PhD, Director/Research Project Lead with the Digital Medicine and Translational Imaging group in Early Clinical Development at Pfizer Inc.

     

     

    Career Connections

  • Westbrook High School Elves Decorate Gingerbread House at the Water's Edge Resort and Spa

    Visit the Water's Edge Resort and Spa lobby to see the Gingerbread House decorated by students at Westbrook High School.  

    Under the student leadership of Maddy Shaw and Isabelle Rosado, students from Sue Hourihan's art classes and Eric Becker's family and consumer sciences classes spent a full day placing gingerbread bricks and candy to create a masterpiece for the Water's Edge.  Pastry Chef Gerald Salmovic was happy to work with our students. 

    The gingerbread house went on display on November 30, 2019 as a part of the Water's Edge annual tree lighting and will remain in place throughout the month of December.   

     

    Career Connections

  • Grade 10 Career Connections Job Shadowing November 20, 2019

     On November 20, 2019,  Grade 10 students visited businesses that best matched their current career interests.  The forty-seven participating students learned about career options, skills and education they need for success and hopefully had some fun.   Teachers serving as chaperones also learned a great deal about future careers their students may select and how their content is used in the workplace.

     A very special thanks to the businesses who graciously welcomed our students and shared their expertise so that our students can explore careers and begin to make realistic plans for their future:

    Bushy Hill Nature Center

    Julie's Cup of Joe

    Valley Shore YMCA

    Valley Shore Community Television

    Aerospace Components Manufacturers Association Aerospace Future Workforce Opportunities Fair. 

    Click on below for pictures from this Career Connections experience.  

      

    Career Connections

Happenings

  • Soroptomist International Essay Contest Opens

    Soroptomist International is a global volunteer organization that provides women and children with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.  In celebration of the anniversary of women's suffrage in the United States, Soroptomist International is sponsoring an essay contest.  Students attending any high school in Connecticut and are ages 13 to 18 are eligible to participate.  Essays are submitted by email beginning January 1 through January 15, 2020.  See Ms. Carson for more information. 

    Career Connections

  • Deadline for Submission of Soroptomist International Essay Contest

    Career Connections

  • Hospitality and Tourism Panel Discussion

    Grade 11 and 12 students are invited to attend this panel discussion.  A professional from the hospitality and tourism industry will moderate a panel of four to five professionals who will help attendees understand the workforce requirements.  Panel members will also help students understand what they can do now to plan for a successful future and will give pointers on getting hired in the field of Hospitality and Tourism.  

    Career Connections

  • Mock Interview Workshop

    Local business and industry human resources personnel want to help students gain job interview skills.  Students may sign up for this valuable workshop to learn and practice interview skills.  Space is limited.  Priority will be given to Grade 11 and 12 students.  

    Career Connections
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Westbrook High School Career Connections Framework

  Career Connections experiences are aligned to the three components of the Westbrook High School Career Connections Framework:

1.  Alignment of Classroom and Workplace Learning.  Industry and higher education partners assist teachers in integrating employability skills and All Aspects of An Industry into academic learning activities through:

  • Teacher externships
  • Assistance from industry professionals in development of project-based learning and curriculum.

2. Support from Classroom or Workplace Mentors.  Industry and high education partners visit classrooms so students can begin early to build a professional network and learn from experts in career fields through:

  • Senior project industry mentors and judges
  • Science Fair industry mentors
  • Classroom guest speakers
  • Facilitated industry-specific panel discussions for students (and parents) focused on learning about occupations within the industry, education requirements, jobs outlook and efforts  students should take while in high school to prepare for career success

3. Application of Academic, Technical and Employability Skills in the Work Setting.  Students explore industries and careers through:

  • Credit-bearing internships for Grade 12
  • Half-day structured job shadowing for Grades 9 through 11
  • Industry-led workshops on creating quality resumes and successful interviewing
  • Class field trips

 

THANK YOU BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS

The Westbrook High School students, parents and staff would like to thank for the following business, industry and community partners for supporting the Career Connections initiative.   These partners are providing leadership and advise on implementation in addition to opportunities for our students to participate in a large variety of Career Connections activities.  

Aerospace Components Manufacturers

Alta Vision Systems LLC

AT&T

Back Stage Dance Center LLC

Blackkat Leather

Bushy Hill Nature Center

Central Area Health Education Center, Inc.

Civil Air Patrol

CT River Area Health District

Essex Asset Advisors

Ivoryton Alliance

Julie's Cup of Joe

Junior Achievement

Elizabeth Kressley, M.D.

Lincoln Technical Institute

Middlesex Chamber of Commerce

Middlesex Community Foundation

Middlesex Hospital

MSE Public Relations

OceanArt Studio

Old Saybrook High School

Oxford Academy

Pfizer Pharmaceuticals

Proctor Architects LLC

Project Courage LLC

Radiall USA

Region #4, Valley Regional High School

Safety Matters LLC

Six Summit Gallery

Soroptomist International

The Lee Company

Valley Shore Community Television

Valley Shore YMCA

Water's Edge Resort and Spa

Westbrook Economic Action Initiative

Westbrook Inn

Westbrook Public Library

Westbrook Youth and Family

Whelen Engineering

Workforce Alliance

Yale New Haven Health