Career Connections: Student Resources
Happenings
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Find your Dream Career with the ASVAB
Career Exploration during high school pays off! The ASVAB is a comprehensive and free career planning resources that empowers students to align their strengths and interests with a post-secondary plan that works. Westbrook is offering this assessment for students in Grades 10-12. We have also scheduled an ASVAB interpretation and follow up on January 16 at 9:30-10:30a.m. See Ms. Carson for more details, including an overview booklet with sample test questions.
Career Connections -
ASVAB Interpretation and Follow Up
Come find out what your ASVAB test data tells you about a possible dream career.
Career Connections -
SAT School Day for Juniors
Career Connections -
Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Career Expo
Sophomores are invited to this career expo to learn about over 100 careers available in Middlesex County. Students will be bussed to Middletown.
Career Connections
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:
- The Westbrook Congregational Church is looking to hire a Sunday Sexton/Custodian for three to four hours each week on Sundays. The job entails opening the church building, setting up and breaking down tables, checking the bathrooms for supplies, vacuuming/sweeping as needed, emptying all trash cans and recycling and other minor custodial tasks. The pay is $75-100 per week. If you are interested in this position, send your resume and cover letter to office.westbrookchurch@gmail.com. You may also contact Ms. Carson for more information.
- Goodwill Southern New England is hiring. You may have met Ms. Baptie, HR Specialist for Goodwill, in the cafeteria recently. If you submit an application between 10/18/2023 and 11/1/2023, you will be eligible for a $100 sign-on bonus if you are hired at the Clinton Goodwill store. Apply at www.goodwillsne.org.
- Bright and Early Childcare Center wants to hire high school students for one to two days a week afterschool from 3p.m. until 6p.m. The pay rate is $16 per hour. You must be 16 years old to apply. This is a great experience for you if you are looking for part time employment. It is also a fabulous resume builder and career exploration for those who might be interested in a future career in early childhood education. Bright and Early is located in Old Saybrook at 131 Millrock Road E. If you are interested, you may call the Director, Ashley Marra, at 860-388-3000. You may also send her an email with your resume to Ashley@brightandearly.com.
- Shayna B's By the Sea is looking for part time staff. Shayna B's By the Sea is a vegan restaurant and bakery located on Rt. 1 before the singing bridge. If you enjoy customer service and serving as an assistant to their pastry chef, please apply. This is a great job for someone who can only work weekends. The hours are 9a.m. until 4:30 on Saturday and or Sunday. Call Christine Reed at 860-399-3144.
- Levi's in the Clinton Outlets is calling all originals for holiday sales. Be a part of the brand that everyone loves. Apply at LeviStrauss.com/work-with-us, or go to store at the Clinton Outlets.
- Westbrook Dairy Queen is adding new smiling faces to their team. Call 860-669-8768 to set up an interview, or email Westbrookdq19642aol.com. Full and part time positions (days, nights, weekends). Must work holidays. Need to be able to work a cash register, cook, make ice cream, clean, etc. They will train you! Must be 16 years old to apply. Starting above minimum wage--$15 and up depending upon availability and experience. The work is fast paced. You will have fun and meet new friends while learning new skills, including how to work with the public, leadership ,responsibility and multitasking.
- A local resident is looking for a student who is willing to do some part time yard work--preparing the yard for mowing, getting lawn furniture out of the home's storage, etc. This is a great job for a reliable student in Grades 9 through 12 who wants part time work. See Ms. Carson if you are interested.
- Westbrook Honda would like to hire a high school student to work as a part time receptionist beginning in the middle of August. They are willing to hire two students to split the hours. which are from 4p.m. until 8p.m. on Monday through Thursday and all day on Saturday. This is a great job for students interested in gaining valuable experience working in the automotive or business industries. Contact Mary Yarrow at Westbrook Honda, 860-399-9300.
- Westbrook Inn seeks part time, afterschool and weekend assistance for a variety of tasks, including assisting guests with check-in and check-out, making reservations, etc. One of our 2022 graduates began working there during his senior year and continues to do so during breaks from college. Contact Ms. Carson for more information.
- If you enjoy working with children, you might be interested in a part time job after school from 2:30 until 5p.m. You must be available Monday through Friday. See Mr. Bialicki for more details if you are interested.
- Shop Rite is seeking part time afternoon workers. They will work with your schedule and are very flexible even if you can only work two days a week. Stop by the store in Clinton and ask for the manager, or apply online.
- The Purrfect Aquarium is seeking a part time aquarist--in other words, employees to work in the store who have experience/interest in the aquarium hobby and/or marine biology. The Purrfect Aquarium in Old Lyme is a tropical fish store that specializes in both salt and freshwater fish. They sell fish, corals, plants, and supplies. Responsibilities include basic aquarium maintenance in the store, cashier duties, interacting with customers and helping them find appropriate fish for their aquariums, assisting in social media presences, and accompanying store owner to fish wholesalers to purchase store inventory. The pay rate is $14.00 per hour. There are also steep employee discounts on fish and store products. See Ms. Carson for an application.
- Aaron Manor has an opening for a part time dietary aid. Work hours are 3:30 until 7:30. There is a $250 signing bonus. The job includes providing dining service to residents, guests, family members and employees as needed; preparing trays and serving food according to menus and following diet orders; assisting in maintaining clean and properly sanitized production and retail areas. You must be COVID vaccinated. Apply on the Aaron Manor website (Click on Careers on the menu bar at the top and search for dietary aide.).
- A local resident would like to find a student who can complete some seasonal tasks around her yard, including stacking wood, storing patio furniture and doing general yard work. This is an excellent job for students who are looking for part time work they can complete on their own time after school or on weekends. The resident is willing to pay $15.00 an hour. Contact Ms. Carson for more information.
- Honeycone Cream Co. is seeking part time ice cream servers. Honeycone is located in Chester. The job involves scooping ice cream, making beautiful sundaes, and various other ice cream creations as well as customer assistance, restocking, organizing, working the cash register, cleaning, assisting with baking and food prep. It is primarily front of house position working direction with public. The shop is a grab and go, so there no tables to bus or waiting on tables. the shop is open Wednesday through Saturday from 3p.m. until 8p.m. and on Sundays from 11a.m. until 6p.m. The shop is seeking afterschool and weekend availability. No minimum shift requirements at the moment. The pay is $14 to $15 per hour depending upon experience. Applicants with more experience could start at a higher rate. Cash and credit card tips are also available. To apply, send a resume and letter of interest to honeyconecreamco@gmail.com. The letter of interest should telling something about yourself, your interests and why you would want to work at Honeycone. You must be at least 16 years old to apply.
- Starbucks Clinton is hiring. Call 203-641-3957 for more information.
- Masonicare at Chester Village in Chester seeks to hire Westbrook students for several summer positions at their independent senior living community. If you are 16 yrs old or older you may apply for positions in their dining rom, bistro, and kitchen. Stop by the guidance office to pick up an application. Or if you prefer, you can go to Masonicare at anytime to hear about our community and the opportunities available. They have a variety of positions and very flexible schedules to offer interested candidates that would be conducive to academics and sports commitments. This community is a wonderful and rewarding first job for young people as they gain experience on every level; teamwork, social, generational and business while being in a very supportive environment. Masonicare appreciates all of the students at WHS who have worked there in the past and throughout their college years as it has been a wonderful experience for both the Masonicare staff and the residents they serve. They offer a scholarship program for students who work at least 200 hours between March 2022 and March 2023. They look forward to meeting new students this summer!
- Chips Pub III at 24 West Main Street in Clinton is hiring bussers and hosts. The pay is minimum wage plus tips nightly. You can work the evening shift from 4:30 until 9p.m. or on the day shift from 12:00p.m until 4:30. More hours during the summer months when school is out of session. Stop by or call the Manager Ashley at 203-605-0924.
- Essex Meadows is hiring part time servers and bussers for their dining room and for their nursing home. You must be 16 years old to apply. The pay rate is $14.00 per hour, and there are opportunities for scholarships if you plan to attend college after high school. Stop by Essex Meadows office for an application, or email the Human Resources Director, Ms. Michelle Davis, at davism@essexmeadows.com.
- Essex Savings Bank seeks part-time and full time tellers. This is a great position for a senior who is planning to study business/finance at a community college in the fall. They are looking for candidates who enjoy interacting with people! Written and verbal communication skills are important as well as strong organizational skills with attention to detail. Cash handling experience is helpful but not required. There is information on their website (www.essexsavings.com) under Connect > Employment Opportunities and on Indeed. We recognize a high school student may not have all the skills that are listed but if they are interested and motivated, then we are willing to train someone. Come see Ms. Carson for more details and for help putting together a solid resume.
Tidbits of Useful Information
- Click here to watch the recording of the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Panel. Westbrook Career Connections, Junior Achievement and the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Virtual Career Fair collaborated to produce a virtual Advanced Manufacturing Industry Panel. Watch the recording to hear some wonderful advice from leading manufacturers in the Westbrook area. They provide excellent advice and share opportunities for employment. Participants included Bo Bradstreet, moderator, Executive Recruiter and Consultant, Bohan and Bradstreet; Oliver Bausch, President and Owner, Bausch Technologies; Jeff Dickey, Executive Vice President of Hydraulics, The Lee Company; Bill Neale, Director of Operations (retired) Radiall USA; and, Christopher Heyl, Vice President of Operations, CiDRA.
- Click here to watch the recording of the Government Employees Industry Panel. Westbrook Career Connections, Junior Achievement and the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Virtual Career Fair collaborated to produce this virtual Industry Panel. Panelists provide excellent advice and share opportunities for employment. Participants represented the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the CT Judicial Branch, and the CT Department of Public Health. The panel was moderated by Sumayya Ayoub, Senior Education Manager at Junior Achievement.
- 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
- Developing Compelling Resumes.pdf
- What should I be doing in high school to get ready for my career?
- Successful Career Fair and Job Shadowing
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- CT Department of Labor Job and Career Connection Resources
- Find Occupations Based on Your Skills and Interests (My Next Move)
- The CT Office of Apprenticeship Training
- CT Career Paths
- Student Internship Guide
- Career/Job Shadow Agreement and Permission
- Youth@Work Safety Training, Part I
- Youth@Work Safety Training, Part II
- Youth@Work Safety Training Handout
- Preparing for Work
- Tips for Virtual interviews.docx
- University HQ
- Discover Healthcare Administration
- LinkedIn Overview