Career Connections: Student Resources

Happenings

  • 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

  • Shoreline Clinic Career Day

    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.

Tidbits of Useful Information

  •  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