Jeffco Career Links

A job shadow is a work experience option where students learn about a job by following an industry partner for a day.

Career counseling is a process of helping students identify and achieve their career goals. It involves assessing their interests, skills, values and personality traits to determine career options. It also includes job searching strategies, resume writing, industry interviews (formerly known as mock interviews), interviewing skills and networkin

A career fair, also known as a career expo, introduces students to various career opportunities. It is usually a one-day event that may include various activities such as presentations, workshops and networking opportunities.

A career presentation is when an employer visits a classroom to talk with participants about a job, business or industry. They may talk about their personal journey, their job duties and responsibilities, the skills and knowledge needed, or a specific curricular topic. 

Industry speakers are experts or professionals in a particular industry or field. These speakers are invited to speak at schools or educational events to share their knowledge and expertise with students, teachers and administrators.

Informational interviews are informal conversations with someone working in a career field that interests an individual. The goal of an informational interview is to gain insights and information from experienced professionals, such as their career paths, job responsibilities and challenges they have faced. They can be conducted in person, by phone or in a virtual format.

A work-site tour for students is a visit to a company or organization's physical location.  This is different from a field trip as students will observe and learn about the work being done, the work environment, and the various careers and opportunities available in that industry. 

Mentorship refers to a relationship in which a more experienced individual (the mentor) provides guidance, support and advice to a student (the mentee). It is a process that aims to enhance the student's educational and career development by connecting them with knowledgeable and experienced professionals in their chosen field. 

An ISP is a structured school-to-work experience completed in the classroom. An industry partner poses an authentic problem; in the classroom, students work to solve it. An ISA is embedded in a class and is non-credit-bearing.

SBEs are a supervised entrepreneurship experience. It can be a simulated or an actual business conducted within a school, typically within a career and technical education (CTE) high school program. It is designed to replicate a specific business or segment of an industry and assist students in acquiring work experience related to their chosen career cluster. The management and leadership of the business enterprise should be provided by student positions identified in the business.

An internship is an opportunity for exposure to the requirements of a particular industry and the behavioral expectations for success on the job. These experiences are expected to provide formal training for occupational skills. Students completing 60 hours per semester are eligible for .50 elective credits. Students can contact their school counselor or CTE teacher for more information.

An abbreviated internship is a condensed version of a traditional internship that allows individuals to gain practical work experience within a specific field or industry. This type of internship typically spans 30 hours, which could be completed over a few days or spread out over a few weeks, depending on the arrangement. These experiences are typically embedded within a course. Students can contact their school counselor or CTE teacher for more information. 

A credit for work: CTE pathway experience is a chance for students to learn transferable skills that prepare them for the workforce. The job must be related to the student’s CTE program Career Cluster. Students completing 60 hours per semester are eligible for .50 elective credits. Students can contact their school counselor or CTE teacher for more information.

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A credit for work: non-CTE pathway experience allows students to register for a non-CTE course for practical work or employment experiences. The course allows individuals to earn academic credit for the knowledge and skills acquired through their work experiences. Students completing 60 hours per semester are eligible for .50 elective credits. Students can contact their school counselor or CTE teacher for more information.

A credit for work: pre-apprenticeship experience provides services and programs, often including classroom instruction, designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in registered apprenticeship programs. These programs should have a documented partnership with at least one registered apprenticeship program sponsor and together, they expand the participant's career pathway opportunities with industry-based training coupled with classroom instruction.

CareerWise Colorado provides youth apprenticeships where students split their time between their high school classroom and the workplace. Students earn a wage while receiving hands-on work experience where they can apply their classroom learning. Students can contact their school counselor for more information or visit the CareerWise Colorado website. 

By the conclusion of the program, students will have:

• A meaningful work experience
• A nationally recognized industry certification
• A professional network
• The opportunity to earn debt-free college credit

On-the-job training is structured learning conducted in the work setting under the direction of one or more of the employer’s personnel. Training can be paid or unpaid.

An apprenticeship is an industry-driven career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally recognized credential.

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