Career Connections: Student Resources

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  • Career Pathways and Course Selection

    Students select Career Pathway and courses for 2021-2022 school year.  

    Career Connections
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Are you ready for career success?

Career Connections experiences offered at Westbrook High School give you the chance to:

  • think about and explore possible occupations with businesses and industries that you may not have thought about;  
  • connect classroom learning to the real world;
  • practice skills in real-world scenarios;
  • develop soft skills (professionalism, communication, teamwork and initiative);
  • observe professionals in action;
  • create a network with potential employers; and
  • develop and improve your personal professional branding.

Why bother?  Because employers are looking for experience and training.  In a recent nationwide survey of  small, medium and large companies in the public and private sectors, employers were asked about attributes that influenced their decisions to hire a job applicant.*  Did you know:

  • 82 percent of employers say that completing an internship is very or somewhat influential in their decision whether to hire an applicant?
  • 92 percent say that completing an internship in their industry was very or somewhat influential in their decision whether to hire?
  • 77 percent of employers say that holding a leadership position in school or an extracurricular organization is very or somewhat influential in their decision whether to hire an applicant?
  • 72 percent of employers say that being involved in extracurricular activities (clubs, sports, student government, etc.) in high school is very or somewhat influential in their decision whether to hire an applicant?
  • 74 percent of employers say that having a high GPA in high school is very or somewhat influential in their decision whether to hire an applicant?

Participation in Career Connections activities help you develop employability skills and attributes employers are looking for. 

Visit Ms. Carson to learn about opportunities to participate in:

  • internships
  • job shadowing
  • industry/business informational panels
  • mock interview workshops
  • resume feedback forums

Ms. Carson can also help you learn about career pathways available to you.  She can help you find business and community mentors for your senior project or your community service graduation requirements.   

*Visions of the Future, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Research Findings, 2019.

Job Board

From time to time, employers contact Westbrook High school with opportunities for employment.  Stop in to see Mr. Bialicki or Ms. Carson with questions you may have.  Check back often, as this list will be updated when new opportunities come up.  Here is the most recent list of opportunities:

  • Whelen Engineering has seasonal positions available in Chester.  Contact Andrea at 860-526-9405, extension 2269.  Andrea was one of the human resources professionals who conducted mock interviews for Westbrook students last winter.  Hint:  If she interviewed you, you might want to contact her to learn about this opportunity!  
  • Dairy Queen in Westbrook is now hiring part time and full time shift leaders and crew members.  Enjoy a free DQ after every shift and a discount on your food.  A great place to learn new skills, how to work with the public, leadership, responsibility, and also to learn how to multitask.  Wages begin at $12.25 and up depending on your availability and position.  Contact Westbrook Dairy Queen at 860-669-8768 or westbrookdq1964@aol.com.  Leave a message, and you will receive a call back.
  • Vintage Home Decor is seeking part-time associates to assist at their home store in Old Saybrook, Connecticut and estate sales around the Southern Connecticut area. The ideal candidate is someone who is self-motivated and open to learning new things. The store features a variety of fine art, antique furniture, and unique odds and ends. They are a small family business which depends on their associates to provide a great shopping and selling experience.
    Requirements:
    - Able to lift at least 25 pounds, 50 pounds preferred.
    - Must have reliable transportation.
    - Strong customer service skills and a positive attitude.
    - Basic computer skills: Email, Microsoft Office.

            - Must be 16 years or older.

           Preferences:

           - Interested in or majoring in business and/or art.
           - Someone willing to stay on at the end of the summer or come back for future summers.
          Pay: $12-14 an hour, based on experience, 10-20 hours per week.
          Status: Seasonal, part time, with potential to stay on year round!
          For any questions or to apply, please email a resume to info@vintagehomedecorstore.com
          Attn: Corinna Kraemer.
  • Nautical Needles is seeking part-time workers now.  Willing to hire now for a few hours each week with the ability to work around the student's schedule.  Increase hours during summer.  See Mr. Bialicki for more information.
 
 

Tidbits of Useful Information

  • Discover Healthcare Administration is a website loaded with information about joining the world of Healthcare Administration.  If you are interested in the health sciences but don't want to be a doctor or a nurse, healthcare administration is a great choice for you.  This site tells you more about the work, the types of careers available the the college degree requirements .  See the Student Resources below for the link to the website.
  • University HQ is a website that offers information about careers, requirements for careers, and the best colleges and universities to pursue postsecondary studies in those fields.  Rankings are based upon retention rate, graduation rate, admission rates, cost of tuition, graduating salaries, number of programs offered, online programs offered, load default rate, diplomas awarded, and percentage of students receiving financial aid.  The site also informs you about the types of jobs that are available and the growth rate for those jobs in addition to how much salary you can expect to make.  If you are not sure about your future career right now, this is a great resource for you.   See the Student Resources below for the link to the website.  
  • Tips for Virtual Interviewing provides tips for success when you are scheduled for a virtual job interview.  The tips are also useful for virtual college interviews.  See Student Resources.
  • Click here  to watch the recording of the Sports and Sports Entertainment Industry panel held in spring 2020.  Professionals from the industry described their occupations and career journeys and gave students some important tips for career success.  
  • Preparing for Employment is a resource that helps prepare students interested in going to work.  It provides students with information about the jobs prohibited for minors, minimum wage requirements for minors, allowable work hours, and how to obtain "working papers" required prior to beginning work.  See Student Resources.  
  • Youth@Work Safety Training  is a two-part virtual safety training required for all Westbrook High School students interested in participating in an unpaid internship.  See the Student Resources below to access Part I and Part II, as well as a Youth@Work handout.  Both are narrated PowerPoint presentations which take approximately 30 minutes each.  Information about completing the safety training assessment is provided at the end of Part II and much be completed prior to beginning the unpaid internship.   
  • Developing a Compelling Resume is a resource to provide support for students and their parents who want to develop or improve their professional brand.  The resource is written with the student in mind, but many of the tips in the resource are useful to adults who are considering changing their current employment and need tips for writing a compelling resume that gets the attention of hiring managers.  See Student Resources.  
  • Consider an apprenticeship in the building trades as a post high school education option.  Apprenticeships offer tuition-free training, and you get to earn while you learn on the job.    Click here for information about apprenticeships in the construction trades (electricians, brick masons, carpenters, construction workers, boilermakers, painters, pipelayers, etc.).
  • Click here for a video of the Medical/Health Industry Panel discussion on December 10, 2019.  Professionals from the industry described their occupations and their career journeys.  Learn what you can do in high school to be successful in the field.  
  • Career/Job Shadow Experience:   Westbrook High School recommends that students participate in career or job shadowing experiences throughout high school so that you can learn about industries and occupations.   Career/Job Shadow experiences happen during the school day.  Students in Grades 9 through 11 are invited to participate in an annual school-sponsored grade-level job shadow experience, but you are also encouraged to shadow independently.  You are excused from classes to participate but you must see Ms. Carson to gain necessary permissions to miss classes.  If you are interested in participating in a Career/Job Shadow Experience,  see Ms. Carson in the Guidance Office.   

Student Resources