As a senior in high school, students everywhere have been told their entire future depends on this moment, this final year. Grades, colleges, applications, acceptances, rejections, and stress often flood the minds of juniors and seniors during these years, but at Pennridge High School, it doesn’t have to feel like that. In fact, the school’s program of studies has an entire class that’s dedicated to kids who may be overwhelmed. It prepares them for what happens after high school, once you’re 18, and the world tells you you’re an adult. Without a doubt, anyone can feel apprehensive, but with Pennridge’s career pathways, students can break it down into smaller sections, focus, and channel their passion into the right place. Every student gets reminded that they have direct control over their career and should determine their career path based on their interests and abilities. No one thing gets overshadowed by another, because Pennridge School District offers a variety of five different pathways. These include arts and communication, finance, business, and information technology, engineering, industry, and manufacturing, human and family services, science and health, and undeclared.
Chris Dyer, the college and career advisor at Pennridge, plays a key role in supporting, arranging, and helping students gain success as adults, and that looks different for each kid. Dyer stated that “time management, having a lot of free time that needs to be managed properly, writing, effective communications, and being open to trying new things” are the important skills that students need to have if they plan to attend college. But for those who don’t yet have their plan, this is the process to find one. “Typically, we encourage them to explore all five of the paths. The key is to keep an open mind,” Dyer explained.
A senior at Pennridge High School, Lauren Widing, chose the science and health path for her future because she wants to work in a hospital and become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. She stated, “I did the program because I wanted hands-on experience as well as a new view for medical staff and the field. It helped me because I gained new experiences and met new friends at the hospital. I hope to work there in the future.” Widing mentioned that working in a hospital influenced her future goal by “giving me a head start and more motivation.”
The college and career pathways at Pennridge are designed for students to find their true sense of self. Any student in the school is welcome to explore. Aside from the actual class, the Pennridge College and Career Center is an important element that many students choose to utilize, even if they are already sure of their path. There are demonstrations made available to students of all grades. Whether you’re a freshman, trying to distinguish your skills, or a senior finalizing your decisions, you can visit the career center or Dyer’s room, but the limits are endless. For all students, there is always a recourse, a question to be answered, and abilities to be accentuated. It’s just a matter of you discovering what you want, and Pennridge will assist.
Sources:
https://www.onegoal.org/about/blog/the-5-must-have-college-readiness-skills/
https://pennridgehs.pennridge.org/departments/pennridge-career-pathways/program-overview
