High School

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Career Exploration

Career Exploration

Career exploration and college/career preparation is a critical piece of the high school experience.  Throughout high school, students will spend time identifying and exploring their interests and strengths, connecting those traits to potential career fields, and engaging in a variety of experiences to learn about potential careers. Our goal is to ensure students are adequately prepared to make well-informed and intentional choices about their life after high school, whether that be attending college, entering the workforce, or enlisting in the military.

Naviance

Naviance is a web-based program that provides students with a variety of tools and an abundance of information related to college and career exploration and planning.  Our counselors will help students learn about and navigate the tools and information that Naviance provides.  Students are strongly encouraged to share with their parents/guardians the results from personality inventories as well as the information that they’re saving related to career and college interests. 

All Wilson High School students have a Naviance account and can access it at their convenience via the website https://student.naviance.com/wilhs.

  • Self-Discovery Inventories for Career Exploration:
    • The following Inventories are available to students in Naviance to aid them in their self-discovery and career exploration:
      • Achieveworks Intelligences
      • Achieveworks Learning & Productivity
      • Achieveworks Personality (11th Grade activity)
      • Career Interest Profiler (10th Grade activity)
      • Career Cluster Finder (9th Grade activity)
      • Strengths Explorer (9th Grade activity)

Visit the Naviance page for more information about the features and tools available to students.

BCTC

Berks Career & Technology Center (BCTC) provides an opportunity for all students in Berks County to explore specific career areas of interest and receive hands-on training.  Many BCTC students will obtain the certifications and experiences to directly enter the workforce or apply to a two- or four-year colleges.

Students are introduced to BCTC during middle school. All 9th grade students have additional opportunities to learn about the programs and opportunities available through BCTC as well as visit one of the two BCTC campuses if they choose.  The majority of students interested in attending BCTC will apply in late fall of their 9th grade year and complete a program throughout 10th-12th grades.  There may be opportunities for students to apply to certain programs after 10th grade, including two 12th Grade-only programs. Interested students are encouraged to explore BCTC’s website and program offerings so they can discuss options with their counselor.

Students who are accepted to a program will attend BCTC for half of the school day and work with their counselor to schedule classes at the high school during the other half of the day to fulfill their remaining required courses.

BCTC Website: www.berkscareer.com

Learn more about the BCTC application process: https://berkscareer.com/apply-to-bctc/

Job Shadowing

Job shadowing can be a great way to gain insight and exposure into certain careers and companies.  If a student is interested in spending the day shadowing someone in a specific occupation, they should contact Mrs. Doutrich, the Career Counselor, who is located in the Upper House Counseling Office.

Learn earn more about job shadowing: How to Start Job Shadowing While in High School

Internships

Internships are one of the best methods to explore a career of interest, especially once a student has identified some careers of interest.  Students are encouraged to explore the possibility of participating in an Internship in 11th and/or 12th grade as course for high school credit. Visit the Wilson High School Internship Program page for more information.

Career Speakers & Events

Throughout the course of the school year, the Counseling Office will bring in a variety of guest speakers to talk with students about different career fields.  Whenever possible, students should plan to attend, particularly if the speaker works in an field  in which they are interested or would like to learn more about.  Teachers may also invite guests to their classes so students can learn more about careers and training programs related to the class or subject area.

Additionally, there are events that take place outside of school, such as career fairs, that we may offer the opportunity to students to attend.  Students should regularly check their school emails and the announcements to be sure they are aware of any events that are made available to them.

Additional Career Exploration Websites & Resources: