Work-based Learning – the Best Way for High School Students to Choose a Favorite Career
As a teen studying in a high school, you may be under the impression that you still have ample time to choose your career path and learn the skills needed for your chosen career. Some other high school students are under the impression that finishing their academic life will get them a job. Both these assumptions are not always true. Education and career expert, Francesca Navarre, who runs a blog for teens transitioning into adulthood named theoldsoulproject.com, shares here tips for our teen readers on how to make yourself appealing to your prospective employers.
Importance of Work-based Learning
It is this time, when you should start thinking seriously on your career options and developing the required skills. Today’s age is highly competitive and it’s very necessary that you have all those skills. These skills and experience will make you stand apart in the crowd. In this regard, work-based learning experience can be of great help in finding your right career interest and develop skills accordingly.
Types of Work-based Learning Available in Schools
The types of work-based learning available differ from school to school. But there are some common types that occur in almost all schools. Here are some examples.
Informational Interviews: These need you to ask questions to people working in fields in which you are interested about their occupation, eligibility criteria, job profile and companies offering those jobs. Because of these interviews, you get an insight about the career options you are planning to choose from people who are actually working in those fields.
Job Shadow: In this, you can visit a company to see their everyday functions in the area that interests you. The duration of the visit may vary from an hour to an entire day based on the time permitted by the business owners and also your interest and requirements of school.
Learning Services: If you are interested in a community service, you can join a service learning program that offer non-paid volunteering positions in such services. This type of work makes your academic learning more relevant because you use your skills and knowledge to contribute to a local community.
Independent Study: Through independent study, you are allowed by your school to gain academic credit for your work experience. In this, you can work one-to-one with an educator or teacher to create your project for credit. The combination of work experience and theoretical work, such as an essay or journal is excellent for practicing, exhibiting and expanding the knowledge and skills you have got in school.
Work-based learning offers you the valuable experience of a work and makes it easy for you to choose your future career. To keep updated always about education and career options, regularly read the blog of Francesca Navarre.
