Career Development and Job Skills

Tools For Students

Job Shadow Experiences, Internship Opportunities, Job Search Help, Resume Help, Letters of Introduction, Interviewing Skills and other help for students entering the workforce. If you are interested in learning more about a particular career, we can help you set up a job shadow experience where you can ask questions and learn more.

Letters of Recommendation

Ask teachers and counselors early. Give at least 3 weeks notice.

Counselors have a worksheet to complete. Forms are in the Counseling office and Future Center.
Provide all writers with an activities resume and some interesting information about you.
Letter writing is not easy. It takes time and thought. Don't forget to say thank you.
Tips for asking for letters of recommendation.

Tips

Application Tips (Coming Soon!)
Sending your transcript through Parchment
Tips on Writing an Essay
College and scholarship applications usually ask about community service experiences. Remember, it's better to have a deep commitment to one or two causes than to spread yourself think with an hour here and another there.
- Volunteer Connect
- Better Together

Field Trips, Tours and Classroom Speakers

A variety of field trips and tours are coordinated by the College & Career Center. These are advertised on the website, with posters around school and on the large calendar in the School to Careers Center. We have the opportunity to visit many different and diverse places in Oregon, such as the Skills Trade Fair, PANAC College Fair, Midstate Electric Career Day, and more. Classroom speakers are encouraged and promoted in classrooms and are facilitated by the School to Careers Center. Last year Financial Beginnings taught financial literacy classes to our seniors. We have professionals come into speak with our students once a month from many different backgrounds.

Job Search

The School to Careers Center is here to help you with getting a job!

JOB SEARCH - Google Sheet where students can see what jobs are available as they are relayed to us.
RESUME WRITING WORKSHOPS - April
MOCK INTERVIEW WORKSHOPS - April
SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOUR JOB - the do's and don'ts -> April
CAREER FAIR - Where students can speak with employers, and learn what it takes to get a job or career in an area of interest.

Trade Schools

Trade Schools are a great alternative to traditional 4-year university. Students interested in the trades should check out degree programs offered by all Oregon community colleges and private trade schools. See link below for a list of trade schools in Oregon.

Oregon Trade Schools: List of trade schools throughout Oregon
Oregon Community Colleges: All Community Colleges have 2-year trade programs
Skilled Trades Salaries

Careers to Consider

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Heart of Oregon Corps Programs

Heart of Oregon programs are designed for young people, ages 16-24, who are ready to make positive changes in their lives through a job, education, and community service.

Youth in involved in the Heart of Oregon programs WORK on hands-on outdoor projects that improve the community like maintaining a trail, reducing wildfire fuels, or even building an entire house. Youth EARN a weekly stipend or minimum wage for full-time work and can also earn college scholarships. Finally, those in the program LEARN everything from math and writing skills to career planning and resume writing, all while gaining high school credits, preparing for the GED, or taking their first college class.

Heart of Oregon Corps

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships differ from Internships in that they are usually long-term and you are actually being trained for a permanent position. Most internships have been in the Skilled Trades fields in the past, but we are finding that with the growing need of skilled workers, they are expanding to areas such as Computer Science, Coding, etc. Check out the websites below to learn more or stop by the College & Career Center and we would be happy to visit with you. Please check out the PowerPoint presentation below outlining the value of an Apprentice Program.

Youth Career Connect - BLSD Partnership Program offering Paid/Unpaid apprenticeship opportunities for students in Central Oregon
BOLI Apprenticeships - Apprenticeship and Training Division
Oregon Apprenticeships - Excellent site for information about how to apply for Internships plus salaries and more. Also videos and listing of current openings.
High Desert Apprenticeships
Apprentice Program - Apprenticeships for students interested in Tech/Software careers

Internships

Internships are invaluable. Students have an opportunity to "work" in a company alongside a professional to gain insight into a career and have the opportunity to "try it out". Youth Career Connect helps to develop business/community partnerships where students may apply for a 65 hour internship opportunity in a field of their choice. Most of these internships will be after school with extended hours on Wednesdays.

Internships are great for a students resume and to also help them determine if the college path/major they are pursuing is the right one for them.

Youth Career Connect - Search for Internship openings!!

Volunteering and Community Service

Volunteering and Community Service are a great way to gain experience and give back to your community. These opportunities provide short term commitment and look great on your college, scholarship or job application. In fact, 75% of all scholarships for college ask for a list of volunteer activities. Use the Activities Chart below to keep track of your work and check out the Connect Central Oregon website to find a place to volunteer.

Volunteer Central Oregon

Foreign Exchange/Gap Year

Students interested in a foreign exchange program during high school have many options to consider. Each year our local Rotary Club sends and hosts high school students in their programs. Applications are available in late September for travel in August of the following school year.

Other programs include:

Rotary Summer Youth Exchange
CSIET
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
High School Foreign Exchange Programs - This list represents a starting point for foreign exchange program research. Bend-La Pine Schools does not endorse or sponsor any program or organization.

Those considering a Gap Year between high school and college can look at these resources:

Military

For students wishing to go straight from high school into the military, a call to one of our local recruiters is the best place to start. Meetings can be set up in the recruiting office or in the Future Center.

ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Core)

ROTC is offered at some colleges and is designed as officer training, while students are going to college. Once selected for a ROTC program most likely you will be offered either a full or partial scholarship. The ROTC department at the school you plan to attend will have detailed information about post-college commitments.

Academies

The Academies offer students a very prestigious education, one that is filled with rigor and regimentation. To admission process is arduous, but worth it, if this is the route for you.

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