Career Coaches in High School

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High School students need career coaches more than ever. The choices for post secondary education should include options in vocational programs that prepare students for jobs in todays's changing society. While they are earning a living, they can also be pursuing a college education. They may be more mature and ready to apply their learning to the real world of work.

Toby Chabon Bergeer of FL 11:43AM March 28, 2012

Yes, that is what school counselors are supposed to be doing. As I understand it though, Career Coaching is being funded through most states' Department of Labor, not their Department of Education. School Counselors (at least at the high school level) do very little counseling. They run report cards, issue work permits, coordinate mandatory standardized testing, compile reports, etc. They have that little clause in the their contract that says "and other duties as assigned by principal," while career coaches do not specifically answer to the principal. As long as nothing changes I can see a big need for career coaching in high school. Oh, and don't forget about the new "graduation coaches" that are the latest rage.

Alice of LA 12:21PM October 14, 2010

A "career coach"? Isn't that what guidance counselors are for?
There was a day when counselors did this job. They completed career interest surveys, counseled students on the courses to take for their interests, both career and personal.
As Mr. Curtis points out, there are many trades jobs that need filling in this country. They are also the jobs that are not being outsourced rapidly out of country. I guarantee you I'll never send to India for a plumber, even though that's who I talk to for computer customer support. Meanwhile, that plumber is making more than a teacher with a master's degree.
Unfortunately our misguided national education directives are designed with the goal of getting all students to attend college. Programs for advanced students are stripped to free resources for lower academically achieving students. The lower achievers are constantly confronted with the stress of achieving at a college prep level and many leave school with less education feeling defeated.
"No Child Left Behind" or "Numerous Children Left Behind"? It's time to get in the time machine, go back thirty years, embrace tracking, industrial arts and stop trying to mandate learning.
A Frustrated Teacher

A Frustrated Teacher of CA 9:10PM April 29, 2008

We are facing a shortage of tradesmen as the older carpenters, electricians, plumbers, auto machanics retire.
These are good paying needed jobs which can't be outsourced! Why aren't young people going into them these days? A college degree does not gaurentee anyone a good future, and a decent income. Too many students are dropping out because not everyone should be headed in a purely accademic direction. We need more good trade shools and cources in these areas
It's time we took another look at our educational system.
JIm Curtice,
retired high shcool teacher

Jim Curtice of HI 4:42PM April 14, 2008

Hi
I will like to know more about the college,i am a cameroonian and a student in hight school ,i am a student and the same time a footballer,i wish to continue with my career over there,i will like to be part of the college and also increase with my education and the same time with my career,i done what to do,please you people should educate me how do go about it,
Thanks for understanding
from princewill.

mutah princewill of VA 9:04AM April 11, 2008