Career & Technical Education

Career Experiences

Programs
Career Experience Specialists

Career Experience Programs

Students have the opportunity to enhance their Career and Technical Education experiences through a variety of programs. Juniors and seniors enrolled in elective classes are eligible for these programs. Career experience programs include: Apprenticeship, Client-centered, School-based Courses, Community Service, Cooperative Education, Internship, Mentorship, Job Shadowing, and School-based Enterprise.

Client-centered School-based Courses

Sequenced high school courses set up as student-run businesses providing services within the lab at school. These courses are currently offered at numerous sites; some may require travel to another school or community site. (Offered through the Trade and Industrial program area.)

Community Service

Non paid career experience in a nonprofit organization that allows students to develop occupational skills. (May be offered to juniors and seniors in elective classes in any program area; refer to specific program area for further details.)

Cooperative Education

Planned and supervised on-the-job training with related classroom instruction in a Career and Technical Education program where the student receives both credit and wages and usually allows early release during the school day. (Offered through Business and Marketing classes.)

Internship

One-time, paid or non paid positions which last for a specific period of time in which students have an opportunity to work in a field which they think might be a career goal prior to leaving school. (May be offered to juniors and seniors in elective classes in any program area; refer to specific program area for further details.)

Mentorship

Informal, non paid, and short-term relationship between a student and person in business, government, or a profession that enhances a student's career experience/exploration. (May be offered to juniors and seniors in elective classes in any program area; refer to specific program area for further details.)

Job Shadowing

An academically motivating educational activity that gives students a first-hand look at the world of work where students shadow an employer at their place of employment to gain a better understanding of the skills, experience, and education needed to achieve their dreams. (May be offered to juniors and seniors in elective classes in any program area; refer to specific program area for further details.)

School-based Enterprise

Individual or sequenced high school courses set up as actual student-run businesses outside the school setting (e.g., automotive dealership, TV production, etc). These programs are currently offered through the Marketing and Trade and Industrial program areas.

Career Experience Specialists

Each of the FCPS Academies is staffed with a Career Experience Specialist whose primary role is to connect students and teachers to career experiences and resources in the community which will broaden the learning experience for the student in the academy course.

Academy Career Experience Specialists are responsible for the organization and coordination of career experience programs. In addition, the Career Experience Specialist serves as the Academy’s business and community liaison. You may contact a Career Experience Specialist by phone or email:

Academy Career Experience Specialists
Chantilly	Joan Ozdogan	703-222-7464	JEOzdogan@fcps.edu
Edison	Genie Williford	703-924-8154	Eugenia.Williford@fcps.edu
Fairfax	Gwen Plummer	703-219-2226	Gwen.Plummer@fcps.edu
Falls Church	Jill Burrer	703-207-4244	Jill.Burrer@fcps.edu
Marshall	Shelli Carpenter	703-714-5581	Shelli.Carpenter@fcps.edu
West Potomac	Maria Kappel	703-718-2753	Maria Kappel@fcps.edu
Office of CTE	Cara Kirby	571-423-4502	Cara.Kirby@fcps.edu

Students have the option of participating in a variety of career experience programs depending on the class they are enrolled in at the Academy. Some students may participate in customized industry resume workshops and mock interviews; others may be selected to participate in an internship or job shadow experience. The following list details some of the career experience services available to students.

Individual Career Counseling

Students receive assistance in the area(s) of career direction, job search skills, and career etiquette.

Classroom Speaker Series

Based on the career area interests students suggest, area business representatives from those areas will visit Academy classes to present information on the various career fields available, the outlook for that career and other important information to help students with their career decisions, career preparation and job search.

Career Shadow Program

Shadow opportunities are available throughout the school year when students are offered the opportunity to spend the day with a business representative, receive information about a specific career of interest and get an inside look and overview of the company.

Resume Writing/Critiquing & Interview Preparation

Students participate in a resume workshop in the Fall and develop a generic resume.

Internship Program

Internships are generally held during a student’s second semester of senior year. (Select students may participate in job training programs as early as junior year upon the recommendation of the Academy instructor.) An Academy internship is a prestigious opportunity to apply the certification and skills obtained from the Academy course to a professional business experience. Students participating in the Internship Program must meet all requirements noted prior to being placed.

Career Fair

Some Academies organize annual Career Fairs (in conjunction with base high school). Academy students are invited to participate in the annual event. Students have an opportunity to meet over 50 employers representing federal, state, and local government, as well as private industry.

Job Fair

Students looking for part-time employment are encouraged to attend one of the many job fairs offered by schools throughout the county.