Career Exploration

About

The program encompasses many different aspects, all designed to educate the students on career directions and choices:

• Career Development Plan: This is for students who are at the beginning of career exploration or who may need extra guidance in finding their passion/career path. I will meet with the student and plan career assessments, coach them on researching different careers and how to connect them to college majors, and develop a year-by-year guide on the steps and opportunities to explore different careers. 
• Resume/Interview/Branding: Students can meet with me for help on building or updating a resume, interview practice or creating a personal branding message (how do I present myself and how do others perceive me?). By appointment only.
• Professional Career Presentations: Professionals are scheduled to come present in either an individual classroom or in the College/Career Center.
• Virtual Mentorships: Students can participate in Virtual Mentorships. This is a good choice if an on-the-job shadow is not available. Many of our mentors are located all over the U.S., and are Stevenson alums who are willing to talk to students via zoom or e-mail to answer questions, give advice and guide their career decisions.
• Job Shadowing: Students can participate in a half-day to full-day job shadow with a mentor in a career field in which they have an interest. This is a very valuable learning experience and can provide excellent opportunities to establish professional contacts for college internships, employment recommendations, and can be a great addition to college applications.
• Job Fair: A summer job fair will be held every year in the spring. Employers from the area will be on site to hand out applications, discuss open positions and even conduct interviews.
• Mock Interviews: In conjunction with FBLA and the professional community, we invite students to practice and perfect their interview skills. The interviews will take place in late April/Early May during the school day (exact date TBD) in the College Career Center.
• Career Exploration Summer School Courses: Careers in Business, Careers in STEM, Careers in Law, and Careers in Medicine & Healthcare. These courses are offered in the first and second semester of summer school (please check summer school schedule for exact dates), and run for two weeks. This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn what careers are available in their area of interest. The class will spend half of the course in school learning from career professionals, and the other half participating in career-focused field trips.
• Internships: Throughout the year and summer, we can provide students with information on available internships in the area.

Career Pathways

Internships/Programs

Meaningful internships for high school-aged students are very limited. Internships become more prevalent as students get older (18+) and once they begin taking college-level courses and are enrolled at a university.

If there are any available internship for high school students, more information, including the application process, will be made on the CCC Facebook page or through school announcements. A student may also make an appointment to meet with Ms. Travis to discuss researching internships on their own or other ways they can gain valuable experiences.

STEM Professionals As Resource Knowledge (SPARK)

The purpose of SPARK is to provide an immersive summer internship experience for exceptional students interested in pursuing careers related to STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) research. 

Each student is assigned to job-shadow a local practicing professional, participate in the educational programs offered by his/her scientific/research organization, and work collaboratively with the mentor on a problem or experiment developed by the mentor and the student. This is done for a period of 70-100 hours in person over the summer. Selected students will participate in these internships during the summers prior to their junior or senior years. 

In the fall, following their internship experiences, students share what they have learned via poster presentations at an evening research symposium at Stevenson High School (parents, students, and mentors are invited to attend). Some summer internship experiences may include projects that can be modified for submission to state and national scientific competitions.

Informational meetings are held in February and applications are due early March.

For more information, contact Brett Erdmann at berdmann@d125.org.

Become a Career Mentor

Career Exploration Program Volunteer Opportunities

You can help ensure the success of the next generation of Patriots by volunteering with the Stevenson Career Exploration Program.

Students learn from and value your knowledge and real-world expertise. There are many ways you can get involved and have a positive impact.

Share Your Insights and Knowledge

We invite you to share your experience with current students seeking to learn more about your professional field:

• Virtually meet to mentor a student through Zoom or email
• Present during Career Discovery Days or Lunch and Learns
• Speak during summer Career Exploration courses
• Participate in the annual Career-Ready Trades Expo

Provide Students With Real-World Experience

You can help students connect their academic and extracurricular experiences with career opportunities:

• Host a student for a career/job shadow
• Provide an internship opportunity for a student

The Career Exploration Program provides opportunities for Stevenson students to explore careers in a variety of professions, and helps them gain the knowledge and confidence necessary to make future career decisions. If you have questions, please reach out to Career Exploration Specialist Jaime Travis at 847-415-4125 or jtravis@d125.org.

Career Resources

General Career Resources

• Naviance
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Illinois Pathways
• CareerOneStop
• O*Net Online
• My Next Move
• Roadtrip Nation

Category Specific Career Resources

• Careers in Healthcare
• Marquette's Health Science Careers Resource Page
• eMedical Assistants
• STEM Career
• Stevenson High School Science Department Resources
• CIS: Illinois Career Information System

Career Assessments

• O*Net Interest Profiler
• CareerOneStop Interest Assessment
• CareerOneStop Matchmaker
• Career Aptitude Test
• 16 Personalities

Work/Job & Other Resources

• Illinois WorkNET Center
• Work Permit Information
• My Next Move
• My Future

Contact

Jaime Travis
Career Exploration Specialist
jtravis@d125.org / 847-415-4125

How to Stay Informed

The Career Exploration Program regularly posts information regarding outside events, internships, career shadows available, jobs, career fairs and career programs through:

• Stevenson Daily Digest and in-school announcements
• Facebook (SHSCollegeCareerCenter)
• Instagram (SHSCollegeCareer Center)
• YouTube (SHSCCC)