The following is a news release issued by the California Department of Education:
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson [this week] unveiled the new California Career Center Web portal to help middle school and high school students explore their options and plan their next steps toward productive careers.
“Studies show that helping students connect their schoolwork to their future in the workforce helps keep them on track and headed for success,” Torlakson said. “The California Career Center Web portal gives students, parents, and teachers a one-stop shop to help demystify the process of moving from the classroom to careers.”
The portal, launched as part of Torlakson’s Career Readiness Campaign, provides the state’s first central, comprehensive Web site of career and college resources for students.
Students can use the free interactive website to build a personalized account that allows them to save critical information, or simply use the left-hand navigation bar as a tool to help them through the exploration process.
Under the “Middle & High School” link, users can learn how to get the most out of their middle and high school experiences. Through the “Career Options” link, users can match their interests and skills with potential careers. The “Education & Training” link tells users what education or training is needed for certain careers.
The “Getting a Job” link offers tips on job searching, internships, résumé writing, and job interviews. The “Challenges” section is designed for students who may have special needs, such physical or learning disabilities, or are foster youth, undocumented youth, and youth from juvenile court programs.
The “Money Management” link offers information on financial literacy and how to make smart financial decisions. Finally, videos produced by students and teachers are posted on the Web portal to help students explore career and college options. There are also Educator and Parent/Guardian sections with content unique to those users.
Research shows that high school students who participate in career exploration programs are more likely to take college entrance and Advanced Placement examinations, graduate from high school, and go to college.
The California Career Center Web portal is a collaboration between the California Department of Education, San Joaquin County Office of Education, and the California Career Resource Network program established under California Education Code Section 53086.
The California Department of Education (CDE) is a state agency led by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. For more information, please visit http://www.cde.ca.gov or by mobile device at http://m.cde.ca.gov/. You may also follow Superintendent Torlakson on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/TorlaksonSSPI and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CAEducation.
Do you think the California Career Center website is a useful resource for middle and high schoolers? Share your thoughts in the comments.
