Career Connections: Student Resources

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.