"CHOICES"
A Career Exploration Program for Eighth Grade Students
The “Choices” career exploration program brings the world of work to the classroom setting through community volunteers sharing their personal career stories and the choices they made in order to become successful adults. Students learn from experienced workers about the academic and technical skills required for a variety of jobs. The program also includes a 9 minute DVD which highlights the positive and negative consequences of choices that students will be facing in the near future. The disparity in lifetime earnings and differences in lifestyles between high school graduates and non-graduates are revealed. An interview with “real people” telling their stories and offering advice about staying in school is a major part of the DVD. As the presentation ends, students participate in a question and answer session. The “CHOICES” program is designed to make students aware that the decisions they make today will greatly determine their future.