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

  • Hospitality & Tourism Industry Panel February 6, 2020

    Special thanks to Joshua Kelly from Junior Achievement for bringing together a Career Connections industry panel featuring occupations in the Hospitality and Tourism career cluster.   Students and Westbrook High School faculty and staff learned what it takes to be successful in the industry, qualities employers look for in employees and even some tips for building a professional brand and network while in high school.   

    A very special thanks to our panelists and moderator who took time out of their work days to support the students of Westbrook High School:

    Bo Bradstreet, Vice President, Bohan & Bradstreet, Board Member at Junior Achievement

    Marcia Simon, APR, CTA, Travel Advisor, FriendlyGroupTravel.com

    Chris Pallatto, Executive Director/CEO, Valley Shore YMCA

    Stephen Jarzabek, Hotel Manager, Water's Edge Resort & Spa  

    Career Connections

  • 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

Happenings

  • Mock Interview Workshop, Part I

    Local business and industry human resources personnel want to help students develop interview skills.  During Part I of the workshop, students participate in a workshop focused on learning interview skills and best practices.  Students sign up to participate in the Guidance Office.  Priority will be given to students in Grades 11 and 12.  Participation in Part II of the workshop is not required, but students must sign up for both in order to participate.

    Career Connections

  • Mock Interview Workshop, Part II

    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.  During Part II, students will participate in mock interviews with the business and industry human resources personnel.   Students must participate in Part I in order to be eligible to participate.  

    Career Connections

  • Shoreline Clinic Career Day

    Career Connections

  • Grade 12 Financial Realities Fair

    Grade 12 students will attend a Financial Realities Fair sponsored by Essex Savings Bank, Westbrook High School and Lyme/Old Lyme High School.  The Fair will be held at Lyme/Old Lyme High School.  Students from both schools will participate in a panel discussion focused on helping students learn interview and employability skills.  They will also participate in an interactive experience that will show them the realities of living within a budget.  

    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

Beach Club Fitness

Blackkat Leather

Bushy Hill Nature Center

Central Area Health Education Center, Inc.

Civil Air Patrol

CT River Area Health District

Essex Asset Advisors

Essex Meadows

Essex Savings Bank

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

Webster Bank

Westbrook Economic Action Initiative

Westbrook Honda

Westbrook Inn

Westbrook Public Library

Westbrook Youth and Family

Whelen Engineering

Workforce Alliance

Yale New Haven Health