School to Career program showcased by Chamber

By Heather Milo Acorn Staff Writer

For local business owners, there’s a wealth of resources available in local high schools through School to Career programs in Conejo Valley/Las Virgenes.

The Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce recently hosted both administrators and students from the program at a chamber breakfast event where attendees learned about the program. It offers trained workers and more to local businesses.

Conejo Valley Unified School District Superintendent Robert Fraisse introduced Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Charles Weiss to open the program. Also on the part-time faculty of Cal State University Northridge and at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Weiss is acting chairman of the youth council of the workforce investment board, which supports the School to Career program.

According to Weiss, the program should expand to serve more young people. It helps students who might or might not attend college. It also enables them to decide where they don’t want to be.

Weiss told the story of his sister, who would have greatly benefited from a program like School to Career. His sister studied for years to be a teacher. When she finally began her career, she discovered that she hated it.

She quit teaching and went to beauty school, much to the dismay of her parents. Her new career, her parents thought, meant less income and reduced success (compared to teaching).

But Weiss’ sister followed her passion, eventually opening a wildly successful beauty salon. She retired at age 50 and now spends her time traveling.

According to Weiss, School to Career provides a friendly environment in which student’s questions (such as "Why do I need to learn this?") prompts real answers. The standard response to such a question is usually one of three: 1. "Because I said so." 2. "It will be on the test." 3. "You’ll need it for the next class."

School to Career provides realistic answers for career planning. For example, algebra is needed to be an electrician. "Here’s where it’s used in the real world outside of school," Weiss said.

Surveys of employers on School to Career have produced positive feedback. Employers said that the program helped improve the performance of their own organizations because students in internships and job shadow programs offered new ideas and fresh perspectives. It also allowed business owners to "test" employees for the future. "They get the pick of the litter," Weiss stated.

Las Virgenes Unified School Superintendent John Fitzpatrick said School to Career really does make a difference for kids. Teachers aren’t always convinced that the program is a viable option because the traditional four years of college is still seen as preferred path to success. But, Fitzpatrick said, at the very least, students leave the School to Career program with a goal and some direction.

Regional Occupation Program (ROP) and School to Career representative Laurie Looker introduced several students who benefited from the program. Newbury Park High School students Dan Wilson, 17, and Kenta Hamada, 17, were taught to use computer software. "I learned to be precise in my actions," Wilson said, adding that he now asks for help when it’s needed. Hamada gained experience working in a studio, recording voices and editing them. "It really helped us prepare for our future," Wilson said. The internship was Hamada’s first job experience.

Now a senior, Whitney Gibb from Thousand Oaks High School began to study the health sciences during her sophomore year. The academy at TOHS benefits from School to Career because of guest speakers, field trips and internships.

"Academy is making me and my peers much better speakers," Gibb said. She spent her junior year as an intern at a physician’s office in Westlake Village, calling patients to remind them of appointments and readying charts for the next day. The opportunity greatly enhanced, she said, her phone skills and confidence.

Christian Ventura, 16, a senior from Westlake High School, is involved in the Westlake Information Technology Academy. Looker first told him about the internships available in the department of international television at Sony Pictures, and he pursued a job there. His duties included faxing, helping distribute Bibles to Tokyo, Malaysia and Jakarta, and designing a brochure for "Ripley’s Believe It or Not." He credits the academy with providing the tools he needed to get the job.

Jessica Tomlinson of Agoura High School said that ROP allows her to work during school hours and train during the summer. She currently serves in the front office of an air conditioning and ventilation company. "It gave me a real head start compared to students who go to college and don’t work, and then they get out in the real world and say, ‘Now what do I do?’ In school, you may not like a teacher and complain about it, but in the workplace, you have to get along with your peers," she said.

ROP and School to Career representative Marlene Jadowski of Agoura High School said that the School to Career program helps find jobs and internships for students.

Looker said that while some employers may be hesitant about high school students, they can be confident that students are well prepared. "We are really looking to foster a better connection between you and our students," she said.

For more information, please contact ROP and School to Career representatives: Laurie Looker at Westlake High School, (805) 497-6711; Marlene Jadowski at Agoura High School, )818) 889-1262, ext. 357; Mark Butzko at Thousand Oaks High School, (805) 495-7491, ext. 1033; and Leigh Ann Diffenderfer at Newbury Park High School, (805) 498-3676, ext. 1138.