Career Focus Overview
In Career Focus, students learn what it means to be successful employees and gain valuable skills for work and life. Like our traditional programs, students learn in the classroom and then apply their knowledge in hands-on experiences and lab activities. Small class sizes, plenty of support and a just-right pace help students thrive and prepare for the world of work after high school.
Plus, Career Focus is flexible, structured to meet the needs of individual students as they progress through their learning and skill development. Regardless of their progression, all students learn the very basics of being a good employee, including:
- following directions
- the importance of attendance
- completing tasks
- following safety rules
Exploration
All Career Focus students begin the program in Exploration.
Through a combination of classroom and lab activities, on-campus jobs, and field trips, students in this area of the program -
- Begin to explore their own interests through interest inventories and other activities
- Learn about a wide variety of career fields, opportunities, and pathways
- Gain workplace readiness skills important for any career
- Build soft skills like communication and leadership
When a student has fully explored this area of the program, they’re able to move on to our Career Connection Courses. Some students may spend a full year in Exploration, some just a semester, and others may be ready to move on at a different point in the year.
Exploration, some just a semester, and others may be ready to move on at a different point in the year.
Career Connection Courses
After completing Exploration, students choose a Career Connection Course that fits their interests and where they begin to develop skills and knowledge in a specific career field -
- Hospitality & Human Services
- Retail & Business Services
- Transportation & Industrial Technology
In each of these courses, students -
- Learn what it’s like to work in a specific industry
- Participate in hands-on projects
- Continue to develop career and employability skills
- Gain work experience through a variety of Work-Based Learning activities like field trips, jobs at school and internships
See the videos below for a glimpse into each Career Connection.
Work-Based Learning
All students in Career Focus will participate in a variety of Work-Based Learning (WBL) experiences and activities. WBL is embedded throughout the entire Career Focus program. These activities often include -
- Field trips
- Guest speakers in the classroom
- Projects and lab activities
- Working in our school store
- Having a job in the school or on campus
- Gaining work experience during working field trips in the community
- Independent internships at a local business or organization
All of these activities provide real-world experiences that help prepare students for future careers.
After Career Focus
Students who complete this program have several options for their next step, including -
- Entry-level employment
- College or other post-secondary training
- Continuing to gain skills for adulthood through Kent ISD’s Empower U transition program (enrollment requires counselor referral)
In some instances, students may advance quickly through Career Focus in 11th grade. In these cases, students may have the additional opportunity to enroll in one of our CTE programs for 12th grade.
