Annual Regional Programs
Summer 2009 Career Academy
From June 15-18, twenty-six 7th, 8th and 9th grade students came to PVCC to explore possible careers. The Summer Career Academies focused on hands-on experience in health care and computer technologies, combining visits to local businesses with enthusiastic classroom presentations. According to one parent, her son “learned a great deal, and had a terrific time.”
Health Technologies campers broke into a car using the “jaws of life” at the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad and rescued a mannequin trapped underneath a generator. They did a great job learning team work, using learned skills and ultimately saving a mannequin’s life! The crew of Pegasus, the U. Va. medical helicopter, strapped a student to a backboard while other campers took vital signs. Designed to teach about the varied careers available in the healthcare field, campers also earned CPR/AED certifications and were introduced to nursing, surgery technology and medical coding at PVCC.
Learning about jobs in technology was the goal of the Computer Technologies Career Academy. Campers recorded “commercials” at the Music Resource Center and attended a live broadcast at NBC29. Staff from Computers 4 Kids and C-ville Podcasting, along with Computer Science faculty from U.Va and PVCC, showed campers the world of wikis, blogs, social networks, JavaScript programming, web page design and graphics.
For each academy, a PVCC student and a career coach served as camp counselors throughout the week. “This is a great concept, and in the whole, it was a great four days,” according to Don Goldman, camp counselor. The Summer Career Academies was funded by a grant from the Carl D. Perkins Vocational-Technical Education Act.
See more photos of campers in the Photo Gallery link at left.
10th Grade Career Day
Held March 12th & 13th at Piedmont Virginia Community College, 1800 students got an in depth look at a possible career pathway. We really appreciate the 140 volunteers from the business community who took the time to give a look into their “work world”. Students saw inside the brain from a neurosurgeon; saw beautiful artwork from an equine artist and learned about the many facets of construction and health careers. Engineers talked about problem solving, graphic designers shared their products and beauticians showed how to get a great haircut. Next year we will again be looking for volunteers from many career areas, so please plan on participating.
Fluvanna High School Career Fair
On Oct. 15th, Fluvanna High School Seniors learned about different career pathways, the college application process and played the Reality Game, a simulation of the decisions and choices adults make in life. Amy Reese, Career Coach at Fluvanna High School, recruited 25 businesses for exhibits in the school cafeteria. These businesses had the opportunity to inspire and influence high school seniors in their choice of career.
7th Grade Career Expo (November 17-18, 2008)
Annual event held in the fall at the University of Virginia offering career exhibits and workforce readiness seminars to all area 7th grade students in the public schools.
- In Fall 2008, nearly 2000 students experienced 128 exhibiters and presenters representing 48 businesses recruited by PIEDMONT FUTURES.
Commonwealth Scholars Program (January-February, 2009)
The Commonwealth Scholars Program is Virginia's version of the national State Scholars Initiative. This program brings business leaders into middle school classrooms to speak to 8th-grade students about engaging in a more rigorous course of study throughout their high school years: more math, science, English, foreign language and social studies/government classes. Business presenters bring a real-world relevance to the choice of academic curriculum and help focus student attention on how to achieve their career and life goals.
- First offered in as a pilot in Walton Middle School in Albemarle County in 2007, the Program was expanded throughout the region in 2008 due to the presence of PIEDMONT FUTURES.
- From January-February 2009, over 80 volunteers were recruited and trained on the Commonwealth Scholars PowerPoint presentations and 70 presenters from 59 businesses gave 91 presentations in our area schools.
Career Pathways Speakers
This career speaker series brings career professionals into the school to talk about their jobs with the entire 4th or 5th grade class for an informal talk for 20-30 minutes.
Special Events at Area Schools
Nelson County High School Career Speakers on English Skills
In November 2007 and January 2008, several panels of career speakers from diverse businesses and with varied backgrounds addressed 9th and 10th grade English classes about the use of communication, language and research skills in their career fields.
Western Albemarle High School Health Tour to Martha Jefferson Hospital
In November 2007, the 9th Grade health class and other interested students toured Martha Jefferson Hospital where HR, doctors, nurses and volunteer services staff helped students explore Health Career options. Students toured the ER, a nursing wing, a medical imaging lab and a physical rehabilitation area.
Greene County 8th Grade Mini-Career Fair (March 10, 2008)
Over 20 volunteer speakers representing 16 core career fields presented career talks to the 8th grade students of William Monroe Middle School.
