College & Career Readiness
Where do you start when choosing a career? How do you decide what you want to do after high school graduation? With the number of career choices out there, it helps to organize your options and take advantage of real-world experience opportunities. Now is the perfect time, while you are in high school, to find out what you like and don't like, to learn from career professionals, take encore/elective classes that relate to a possible career, take a finance class, take the ASVAB, go on a job shadow or two and go on field trips, take interest assessments, talk to your teachers, join a club or sport, and tour schools. Our goal is for you to feel confident walking across that graduation stage with a Plan A, a Plan B, even a Plan C, and a call to action to reach your goals. We encourage all of you to Think Big, Get Excited, Save Time, Spend Wisely, Take Control, and Stand Out because we are Panther Proud and your Park Rapids Community is here for you every step of the way! Stop by and visit the 4C, Mrs. Johnson, if you want to partake in the below programs and opportunities or if you have any questions.
Senior Checklist
Are you a senior who is wondering what you should be preparing for after graduation? Check out this Senior Checklist from Mrs. Brandt to advance into the next steps of your future!
If you have ANY other questions, don't hesitate to talk with your school counselor or 4C about your future plans!
Need Information about Minnesota Colleges? Check out the link below!
Click Here to discover Minnesota Colleges you may be interested in!
Wondering What Careers Match Your Personality?
Attached below is a spreadsheet of info about different careers and their requirements. It is a great resource if you aren't sure what you would like to do, and want more information!
List of Careers/Career Finder Tool
If you have more questions, ask Mrs. Brandt or Mrs. Johnson!
Industry Recognized Professional Certificates
Looking for Industry Recognized Certificates that you can earn in a high school class? Check out the following credentials offered at PRAHS!
- Childcare Development Associates (CDA)
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Minnesota Emergency Medical Responders (EMR)
- NIMS Certification (CNC Machining)
Looking for OSHA certification online? Looking for Employability Certification? CareerSafe is geared toward 6th-12th grade students who want to earn additional Employability Training or their Federal OSHA 10 Wallet Card within a single week and the credential is valuable for life.
CareerSafe courses include:
- StartSafe: Preparing for Work-Based Learning
- Interview Skills
- Communication Skills
- Cybersecurity Essentials for Work
- Time Management
- Human Resource Management
- Teamwork
- Written Communication
- Materials Management
- Workplace Financial Management
- Personal Financial Management
- Critical Thinking
OSHA 10-Hour courses include:
- OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Healthcare)
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Agriculture)
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Cosmetology)
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Manufacturing)
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Culinary)
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Automotive)
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Veterinary)
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Public Safety)
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Public Safety: EMS)
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Public Safety: Law Enforcement, Corrections, Security)
Career Fields, Clusters, & Pathways
Minnesota State CAREERwise Education
Career clusters are one way to group career choices. Careers with common features are in the same cluster. Clusters can be used during career exploration as a way to find your best career match.
- 6 career fields are the broadest level of career options. They are shown at the center of the diagram below around the circle. They're a good place to start exploring careers.
- Underneath those six career fields are the 16 career clusters identified by the National Career Clusters Framework. In addition, some models also include the Energy Systems cluster. Careers with the same knowledge and skills are grouped in the same cluster. Each cluster may include hundreds of different careers.
- Each career cluster includes one or more of 81 career pathways. A pathway is a group of related career specialties within the career cluster.
- A pathway has its own knowledge and skill requirements. Educational programs can be developed around each pathway. They include curriculum that helps learners prepare for a career. Programs of study are sequential and based on industry expectations and skill standards. Career pathways show learners of all ages which courses will give them the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to pursue their career choice.
- The center of the career pathways diagram shows knowledge and foundation skills. These are a core set of skills needed to be ready for work and college.
YouScience-College & Career Readiness Programing
For All 8th-12th Grade PRAS Students
YouScience at Park Rapids Area Schools:
Welcome to YouScience - an all-new tool to discover your future career, all by using your mind's aptitudes! Through YouScience, your students will uncover knowledge of their minds' aptitudes, industry-recognized certifications using Precision Exams, unlock their superpowers (radioactive spider not included), a whole new world of education options and best-fit in-demand careers to better succeed in school and life. YouScience is tailored to the unique needs of each grade level (8-12) to help students learn about themselves, build an education plan, and prepare for options after high school. Each student will receive a hyper-personalized portfolio at the end of their assessment, including possible career and educational pathways, as well as the resources they will need to get there.
PRAS Students Login Link: https://www.youscience.com/login/
Want to Learn More?
- YouScience Website Link: https://www.youscience.com/
- What is YouScience? Video Link: https://youtu.be/i9jNoFVXI2A
- Why YouScience? Video Link: https://youtu.be/p3ZMPPVJvFE
- YouScience Results Walkthrough Video Link: https://vimeo.com/347806606
DAC Pre ETS Transition Program
The Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) provide students with disabilities the opportunity to experience and explore the world of work. In partnership with MN VRS DEED, we help students make decisions about their career paths and create a plan for their future. Whether younger students are interested in learning about their first summer job or upper-level students are planning their career path after school, providers offer a wide range of possibilities for students aged 14-21 (up until their 22nd birthday).
Pre-ETS providers focus on five core services to offer students during the program:
- Job exploration and counseling
- Workplace readiness training
- Paid work-based learning experiences
- Counseling on post-secondary education or training
- Self-advocacy
Every student is different, and there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Pre-ETS providers work with each student to find what type of job or career path best suits them. Students can expect an individualized approach from providers to help build job awareness and confidence. Services are provided at no cost to the student or family.
To get started, please contact Kelly- HCDAC at (218) 366-3350 or email kringer@hcdac.org.
Career Exploration & Real-World Experience Opportunities:
- Try Job Shadowing multiple career and multiple times
- Attend Field Trips/Site Visits or community organization meetings
- Listen to a Career Speaker in person or virtually
- Sign up for a class with a Guest Instructor and possibly earn a certificate
- Apply for Internships/Apprenticeships
- Apply for Paid Employment or sign up for the business internship program
- Try Job/Work Sampling unpaid
- Partner with a Career Mentor to set future goals and learn from them
- Work on a Business Sponsored Project when available
To sign up for any of the above opportunities, visit with the 4C!
The Prepared Panther:
Resumes, Interviews, & Etiquette
Do you want a second look at your resume and cover letter? Then drop them off at the 4C office, no appointment needed! My mailbox in the high school office is labeled CCCC or feel free to email the 4C a copy to be critiqued. Also, if you want to practice interviewing before the big day, the 4C is here to help! Send the 4C an email to see when we can schedule a mock interview for you. Below you will find a clean and simple cover letter, resume, and references template you can download and edit. You will also find three packets containing information about applying for a position and resume creation, interviewing styles and techniques, and networking and etiquette tips. Want to set up a LinkedIn account (your online resume)? See below for more information or ask the 4C for help!
Panthers - Check out the below calendar to stay up to date on events happening locally and across the state and country! These events are focused on college, career and life and will either be held in-person or virtually. You will find various expos, fairs, conferences, presentations, workshops, and so much more! Click on a title that interests you to see that event's registration information and who it's sponsored by.