For some high school seniors, attending college is a natural decision following graduation. For others, though, college is not an option.
To assist students with their post-graduation plans, three Career Coaches will be guiding students using Parke Heritage High School’s goal of “Enroll, Enlist, Employ.”
Sheryl McDaniel, Stephanie Studebaker and Steven Hartman will be working with students to find a plan that will suit each student’s interests and to help them be successful following their high school graduation. McDaniel is one of the school counselors, and Studebaker works with the school’s work-based learning program. Hartman has previously worked with college students to assist them in their career paths while working at Indiana State University and DePauw University.
As the PHHS career coaches, the team will be working closely with community members to coordinate resources, whether it be helping students find employment, enlisting in the military or enrolling in college or trade school. The career coach role creates a liaison between the community and school that specifically works towards guiding students to the appropriate resources for their individual needs. Serving as a liaison for the students, they will work to partner with local organizations to create relationships that will benefit them as employers and our students as employees.
In this role, they will be also building a relationship with each student so that they can guide them in their chosen career path. By working closely with students, the team can help answer questions as well as guiding students in decision making. They will look to assist, mentor, and advise students to ensure that every graduating senior has a postsecondary plan.
The team understands that it is important to set students up for success. Sometimes this involves making connections and knowing how to make the connections. Each and every one of the coaches has found success in their pursuit of a college degree as well as meaningful and enjoyable employment, and sometimes students just need a little nudge to set them off on the right track.
The coaches plan to use their years of knowledge and experience to help the students avoid the pitfalls of life after high school and avoid some of the mistakes that can easily be made.
As seniors complete their high school education, the goal is to have 100% of the class members be committed to one of the three E’s: Enroll in college or trade school, Enlist in the military, or Employ directly to the workforce. The team also wants to make sure that each and every student of PHHS knows they have someone they can turn to and rely on to help answer questions and steer them down the correct path for their short- and long-term goals.
