Old Colony Archives
Career Awareness Day
By Mrs. Rita Bretto
Old Colony Vocational Coordinator
March 1998
Faced with a system of recruiting new students that was cumbersome and not very effective, the recruitment committee at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical HS in Rochester, Mass., came up with a plan for Career Awareness Days that proved to be beneficial for the school, students, and parents.
In previous years Old Colony vocational teachers, staff members, and students would haul equipment and displays to schools that send students to Old Colony. These "road shows" would introduce students to the programs available to them, but did little to convey the realities of the programs or to educate parents about the opportunities available.
The new Career Awareness Days were held on two days in November at Old Colony. The six sending schools were assigned dates on which eighth grade students would be bused to the school. Once they arrived, students visited booths and displays representing all shops and many other areas of the school. Included were:
• National Honor Society: A table displayed membership guidelines, chapter pictures of past projects, induction ceremonies, and awards and informational handouts with a complimentary calendar from NHS. An NHS member was at a table to answer questions from eighth grade students and their parents.
• Athletic Department: A handful of students from the athletic department were at a display table to field questions about the athletic programs. Videos were a major part the displays as well as brochures of the upcoming summer camp. Old Colony endorses a "no-cut" policy to ensure that students from all grade levels are given the opportunity to participate in athletics, providing they are passing in all subjects. (This policy has led to good sportsmanship to such an extent that in December, 1997 Old Colony was awarded the first place Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association award for professional sportsmanship within all the sport-disciplines.)
• Academic Component: A display table showing evidence of successful college placement-30 percent of Old Colony's graduates go on to post secondary education in two and four year colleges and technical schools - helped eighth grade students and their parents understand the value of Old Colony's program from an academic perspective. Also, textbooks from several academic areas were on display for hands-on reviewing. A teacher from an academic subject was on hand to answer questions.
• Vocational Industrial Clubs of America: VICA was represented at a display table and students from the organization served as tour guides, raffle table organizers, and announcers.
• School Newspaper: Journalism students and newspaper staff members offered information about reporting and writing for the press within and for the school at another display table.
• Shops: Displays varied from shop to shop. From Cosmetology's salon-like artmosphere which included work stations complete with functional sinks and a manufacturing/facial area, to Carpentry's fence-enclosed space in which students - in assembly-line fashion - produced hundreds of wooden carriers as give-aways, each shop presented itself uniquely.
The Cosmetology Department gave away combs, nail files, and certificates for facials. The Electrical Department , whose display was both interactive (with light and buzzer system for visitors to use) and for informative with its wire-to-light component, gave away light-bulb shaped magnets displaying the words, "We'll Power the Future." The Automotive Department displayed a vehicle with some mechanical, electrical and computerized components operational for demonstration and gave away certificates for oil and filter changes along with handouts on automobile safety. Graphic Communication and Design invited visitors to hands-on computerized operations generating graphic designs, and the department gave away note pads, "Things to Do" memo pads, book marks, and other such items. The Machine Shop Department offered visitors a variety of demonstrations using industrial equipment - some of which produced metal keyrings as give-aways. The Electronics Department provided a visual and hands-on display that included its student-produced and designed robot for visitors to operate.
Culinary Arts students provided a continual service line of prepared food including samples of hors d'oeuvres, cookies, and assorted pastries, as well as providing visitors with student demonstrations of cake decorating. The Metal Fabricating/Welding Department arranged for a professional from the industry to setup welding booths for visting students to try out the welding process. The Computer Information Technology Department provided hands-on workstations in which to try out a wide variety of current software.
The Health Careers Department designated an area to serve as type of walk-in clinic where visitors could have their blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked and temperatures monitored. The Drafting Department displayed samples of architectural and landscaping designs created by its students.
Students were involved in planning the event in a variety of ways. They created and designed displays and give-aways for their areas, put together visual aids such as signs, tour guide packets, and collages, and created invitations and raffle tickets. When the time came to set up the displays, students wired the gymnasium to serve as an expo site, hauled equipment from the shops to the gym, and set up displays.
A Treat for Parents
Parents were invited to visit the school on the first evening of the two career days. To counter declining numbers in the evening sessions offered to parents from previous years, Old Colony offered a free spaghetti dinner to eighth grade students and their parents. The administration donned aprons and, with the help a few Culinary students, cooked the pasta, made meatballs and sauce, put together tossed salads, and served the public buffet style. Attendees seemed to enjoy the experience.
Challenges in Planning
The main challenge in planning the Career Awareness Days came from the short time frame from conception to implementation of the idea. From spring when the idea was born to November when the visits were scheduled, the planning committee had to work hard to influence the faculty that the new recruiting approach would be an effective way to showcase the school and attract new students. Generating community awareness and interest was also a priority. Staff members, sending school personnel, and the community at large should all be made aware of the project early on so that the better ideas from a number of sources can be given time to materialize in the end.
According to follow-up comments and evaluations, Old Colony's first Career Awareness Days proved to be a success. It is far more successful than previous "road shows" in reaching students and parents. The on-site approach enabled visitors to see what the school had to offer and afforded opportunities for hands-on experiences. Without having to move equipment to another location, staff members and students were able to present interesting and professional exhibits that attracted students' interest and impressed parents. Old Colony is looking forward to making next years' Career Awareness Days even more informative and comprehensive.
This article by Mrs. Bretto was published in the March 1998 issue of Leadership Magazine, a publication of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Department of Student Activities.