Career Exploration at Central Vermont Academy

(In a nutshell)

 

 

 

The education program here at Central Vermont Academy is very unique and exciting.  The staff here believes very strongly in Experiential Education.  One area in which we are implementing this type of education is in directly exposing the students to various jobs and hands-on career experiences.  One morning a week the students have the opportunity to explore careers at local places of business.  The students continue at the same host site on Fridays from approximately 8:30 am to 11:30 am for 6-8 weeks before moving to a different site.  As this is a purely educational program on school time, the students are covered under the school insurance policy and are not paid for the time or work that they put in on-site.  In addition to the on-site observation and hands-on experience, students are also required to complete journals or other projects as a means to further process the experiences they have had. 

Although not paid monetarily, we believe that the students gain invaluable hands-on work experience and knowledge that will not only assist them in choosing careers but also in rounding them out as productive and knowledgeable human beings.  The students seem to really enjoy their experiences and are constantly learning not only about specific jobs and skills but also about themselves and other people.

This program was started at Central Vermont Academy during the 2001-2002 school year when the high school was just coming into existence as Central Vermont Junior Academy.  That year there were 9 students in 9th and 10th grade and they all were involved in community-based Career Exploration.  Since then the school has expanded to become a fully accredited senior high school, with each student having the opportunity to participate in the Career Exploration program.  As of the end of the 2005-2006 school year, we are celebrating just over 2 years as a fully accredited academy and have had students in nearly 100 sites throughout our community.  We believe that the Lord has really blessed our school and this program and it feels good to be providing students with knowledge and experiences that will help them to be prepared for the rest of their lives.     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is a list of some of the types of sites students have visited in the past:

 

 

-Auto Mechanics                      -Law Enforcement                    -Hairdressing               

-Sign Shop                               -Photography Shop                  -Bike Repair and Rental Shop

-Physical Therapy                     -Hospital Maintenance              -Accounting                 

-Civil Engineering                      -Ski/Snowboard Shop              -Massage Therapy

-Music                                     -Teachers Aid                          -Printing

-Real Estate                              -Florist                                     -Nursing Home

-EMT/Fire                                -Pet Grooming                          -Gym/Fitness Club

-Horse Farm                            -Culinary Arts                           -Electrical Work

 

* As you might imagine, we are always looking for new opportunities and host sites for the

   students to work and learn at.  If you are aware of anyone in the Barre/Montpelier area who  

   might be interested in providing a dynamic and unique experience for our students let us know.

                                                                         

Visit or Contact CVA @:       www.centralvermontacademy.org                     Program Coordinator:

317 Vine Street – Berlin,                                                                                              Nathan Knowles

Barre, VT   05641                             (802) 479-0868