Business Partnership Activities:
Business Mentor Program: This program was created in 2022 to build a stronger ACP connection between Neillsville High School and area businesses. Each HS Career Advisor is assigned two Business Mentors (local business owners or employees) who come into their 8th Hour class once a month on a rotating basis. The Business Mentor and Career Advisor co-teach employability skills lessons to students in grades 9 & 10. Students learn valuable information directly from “real world” people about the skills and qualities employers are looking for in their employees. At the end of the year, Business Mentors and Career Advisors meet to discuss ways to improve the program for the following year. In this way, our Business Mentors serve as an “Advisory Committee” to our ACP program.
Classroom Presentation: Employer (or designated employee) presents in front of a class (at the school) about his/her company, specific career, and/or other employment topics. This presentation could last between 30-50 minutes and be done once or for multiple classes. Presentations could be given for students in grades 6-12 wherever most appropriate. All high school teachers are encouraged to have at least one career related speaker per class each year to build real world relevancy into their curriculum.
Mock Interviews: Employer (or designated employee) conducts mock interviews at the school on scheduled mock interview days. Mock interviews take place in the 8th grade Careers class and English 10. Questions and procedure structure will be provided by the class instructor and/or school counselor. The time frame for this activity varies from part of one day to smaller amounts of time over several days. Neillsville High School collaborates with CESA 10 to plan their Sophomore Mock Interview Day.
ACP Night: Employer (or designated employee) sets up a table with information about his/her company, specific careers, etc. and is available to talk with students and families. This evening event is conducted each year in January; all students in grades 8-12 and their families are invited and encouraged to attend. All local businesses are welcome to participate.
Career Fair: The School District of Neillsville facilitates student field trips to several area career fairs in which local businesses attend. These career fairs are as follows:
- 8th graders attend the MACCI Reality Store in Marshfield (April) & Career Venture in Eau Claire (May)
- 9th graders attend the Clark County Business and Career Fair in Greenwood (April/May)
- 10th graders attend the MACCI Career Expo and Power of Ag (optional) in Marshfield (April)
Career Interview: Employer (or designated employee) is available to be contacted by students for a career interview. During a career interview, the student will ask questions pertaining to job duties, educational path, additional training/preparation, salary/benefits, employment outlook, likes/dislikes about the profession, etc. Interviews could be in person or over the phone and students in grades 8-12 could conduct one.
Job Shadowing Experience: During a job shadow, a student comes to the place of employment for a half or full day experience to observe a “day in the life” of this particular occupation. Students will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the business, lunch (if necessary), and to supply the employer with any permission slips, liability waivers, etc. needed. The student’s career advisor or school counselor will be the adult contact at the school for this experience and is responsible for setting it up and conducting a reflective piece with the student upon its completion. Job shadows can be done once or several times depending on each individual situation and arrangement. Students in grades 9-12 can participate, but a large focus will be placed on the 11th grade year during career advising. Students who take the “Work Habits” course will be required to complete a job shadow as part of this curriculum.
Career Internship: A career internship is a non-paid, semester or yearlong, on-site experience. The student (only open to grades 11-12) will report 3-5 days a week for a minimum of 2 class periods. Students will be expected to actively participate in entry level duties appropriate for this profession. Students will be awarded credit on a P/F basis as determined by the employer and career advisor.
Youth Apprenticeship: Youth Apprenticeship (YA) is a WI state (Department of Workforce Development) program designed to give hands on learning experiences along with classroom instruction. Students (only open to grades 11-12) can participate in a one or two year program; there are currently 11 program areas available. Please visit https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/youthapprenticeship/ and click on the “Employer” tab to learn about the specific details and benefits of this program as it relates to your profession.
Paid Employment Positions: Paid employment offers students the opportunity to work (for monetary compensation) at your place of employment. Students can work before/after school and on the weekends unrelated to the school or during the school day (only open to grades 11-12) as part of the school sponsored “work release” program. Students can earn credit (P/F basis) for hours worked during the school day as part of the work release program based on successful completion of expected duties as evaluated by both the employer and school-to-work coordinator. All students participating in the school sponsored work release program will be expected to complete the DPI Employability Skills Certificate or Youth Apprenticeship Program.
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