CAREER PATH DISCOVERY (CPD)

Program Description

To most students, deciding on what they want to be when they grow up could be very frustrating. Children model after what they see around them, such as “l want to be a police officer” because somebody in the family, a mother or father, is in that career. But as they grow older and get acquainted with more struggles and realities of life, career path confusion sets in. Others assume they can discover the “What I want to be when I grow up” while in college.  The result is that majority of college freshmen change majors after a year or two before deciding on what they really want to become after they graduate. Consequently, people find themselves returning to college for a second degree to prepare them for their new found “me”. It is likely that such students initially chose a major because either they loved the subject, it was what their parents wanted, it appeared to be a good fit to their personalities, or it would help them get a high paying job. These are common situations faced with all levels of achievers in high schools and colleges and from all socioeconomic backgrounds. These situations that waste time, money and causes frustrations and missed opportunities can be minimized if students are exposed to programs that could help them begin to plan and explore career options. Hence, through a program such as KESC Hands-on-Career Path Discovery (CPD), a student could have an earlier start to prepare for life career.

The purpose of   KESC Career Path Discovery (CPD) program is to invest in the lives of our children who are getting ready to go to college and/or enter the work force. This program will provide the child the opportunity to discover what he or she is talented in, interested in,  and has affection for before entering college. Whether the career path is engineering, medicine, legal professionals, or any other profession, KESC will collaborate with local industries and institutions to engage talented students in one or two summer internships in their “most likely” or potential career path, and let them discover or explore their potentials early in high school rather than later. This is a preventive measure for career decision hassle to avoid the frustrations students, and parents face in the process and even employers to avoid employing the wrong party for the job. This can further result in the loss of productivity in the workplace because an employee is not satisfied with his/her career path. It can even boil down to loss of revenue to employers.  KESC is inviting all stakeholders-parents, school districts, teachers, corporations, foundations to join with us to invest in our children as one way to lay solid foundation  for 21st  century career. The program benefits not only the students but the entire community and contributing organizations.

 How it works

1. KESC solicits nominations for 15-20 possible talented pre-11th and pre-12th grade students.
2. Student must fill out short a form indicating three possible career paths plus (optional) your academic goals for high achievement in Fall.
3. KESC matches the student with  one  local industry in the field closely related to the student’s  career of choice
4. Students completes the  two-weeks of Career  Path  Discovery  classes:
5. Time Management and Career Awareness 
1. Character Development
2. Diversity Education
6. Complete Career  Discovery Initiative classes  with a satisfactory final grade of 90% or better
7.  Students with satisfactory score of 90% or better are placed in the 4 week internship with the local industry.
8. A student who did not meet the minimum standard of acceptable character education after the first attempt will not be placed in the Career Path Discovery internship.

How much does this Cost?  KESC commitment is to offer this program at a minimum cost to the parents through funds from local industrial sponsors. Maximum cost to a parent is 50% ($1625) of the total cost depending on the level of sponsors’ contributions. The total actual cost of a five-week program is $3,250 per student covering:                                  

1. 1 week Career Path Discovery Classes (30 hours): $750
2. 4-week Career Path Discovery Internship placement with a local organization (30 hours per week): $750-1000            paid to student depending on grade level                    
3. Fees, Materials and Administrative cost: $1500                      

Time and Date for summer 2008 for two parts program:
Career Path Discovery                                     June 25-June 30, 2008:  8:30AM-12:30 PM
Career Path Discovery Internship                    July 2-Aug. 3, 2008     9:00AM-4:00 PM

Getting-A-Head for Academic Excellence: To sustain the students’ level of academic performance for competitive colleges, students electing the optional Get-A-Head AEA during the fall term or  students who need to make up a course to get a higher grade in the Fall, will receive the following benefits to support those goals:

1. Free Registration  and 50% discount for Academic  Assessment
2. 10% discounts on  Continuous Tutoring support in the Fall if needed
3. 20% discounts on SAT Prep
4. 10% Academic Enrichment acceleration (AEA) class to set the student ahead in the fall,
1. Special AEA session will run two weeks in August before classes begin in Fall

Eligibility criteria

1. Be in the top 10% of their current 10th or 11th grade class.
2. Complete one-week Career Path Discovery  initiative class (Time Management and Career Awareness, Character Development, and Diversity Education) with a score of 90% or above
3. Select possible career of choice and be  matched with one local industrial sponsor in a field closely related to the chosen career path

Benefits to the students

1. $750-1000 stipend, depending on grade level,
2. Improved confidence in career path
3. One Free College awareness seminar for students and parents
4. Psychological counseling support to guide the student career path during the five weeks
5. 10-50% discounts  Getting-A-Head for Academic Excellence in 2007-08
6. Possible use of the AEA class to test out or make up for the course in the Fall or make up poor grade in the previous semester.

Benefits to the Sponsors

• Top student internship for 30 hours per week for four weeks in the sponsors facility
• Positive investment in community students to provide pathway for solid foundation for 21st century careers
• Opportunity to build lasting relationship with top students in the community.