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FACT: 94% of students who participate in an internship graduate from high school

 

Experiences like internships, job shadows, mentorships, and site visits give students better perspective on the value of academics and its application to the ‘real world’. These connections allow students to develop insight about what they like and do not like within the careers they are exploring. Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 is committed to collaborate with community and industry partners to provide students opportunities for work-based learning in real-world settings.  Colorado's labor market is evolving faster than ever. Students and job seekers are engaging in learning experiences to help them develop advanced and adaptable skillsets that are necessary to compete in our complex global marketplace. While not a new concept, education is taking more deliberate measures in partnering with business and industry to best support student learning to prepare them for their career potential. 
Learning about work

Career awareness and exploration helps individuals build awareness of the variety of careers available and provides experiences that help inform career decisions.

Learning through work

Career preparation supports career readiness and includes extended direct interaction with professionals from industry and the community.

Learning at work

Career training occurs at a work site and prepares individuals for employment.

  • Career Counseling
  • Career Planning
  • Career Fairs
  • Career Presentations
  • Industry Speakers
  • Informational Interviews
  • Mentoring
  • Worksite Tours
  • Project-Based Learning
  • Clinical Experiences
  • Credit-for-Work Experiences
  • Internships
  • Pre-Apprenticeship
  • Industry-Sponsored Project
  • Supervised Entrepreneurship Experience
  • Apprenticeship
  • On-the-Job Training
  • Employee Development

Students at Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 use aptitude/interest inventories to support them identifying their natural skills and abilities and how they relate to the world of work. This supports students in developing an Academic Plan that support their future aspirations. In addition, our district participates with the Pikes Peak Business and Education Alliance (PPBEA). This alliance consists of 17 school districts and multiple charter schools in El Paso and Teller County, aligned to work together to develop more work-based learning opportunities for students. These opportunities include apprenticeships, internships, job shadows, site visits, career panels, classroom presentations, and more! It is proven that work based learning opportunities positively encourage students to graduate from high school, develop a growth mindset, and increase their lifetime earning potential. Win, win, win!

WHAT IS A...

Mentorship

MENTORShiP

A great way to receive guidance from a professional in industry. This relationship is built to allow professionals to share their knowledge and collaborate to develop a track that allow for students to refine their potential education and professional path. The mentor and student meet on a consistent basis: sometimes in the classroom, or in industry or at a postsecondary institution.

 

Job Shadow

job shadow

A student visits and industry they may be interested in pursuing a career in. The visit is generally a 2-3 hour opportunity that may be done in solidarity or over multiple days. This experience is designed to give students deeper insight into a trade. Students may follow one employee or split the job shadow experience so that they follow multiple employees who serve in different capacities within the business. A student does not usually work during this experience.

Internship

interNship

An internship is a real-world opportunity to expose students to the requirements, the work environment, as well as behavioral expectations to succeed on the job within industry. These work experiences are not expected to provide formal training, but parallel training students receive in school. Students are able to receive credit at Fountain-Fort Carson High School for their participation in a 60-hour or 120-hour internship.

 

 

Students visiting Stresscon - skilled trades

Students visit different businesses to understand the responsibilities and behaviors employers are seeking.

 

Microchip visit with insane teacher

Site tours allow our students to learn more about what careers and opportunities exist.

Teacher tours industries to learn more about what are community need from their employees

Teachers tour industries in our community to translate roles and responsibilities into classroom learning.

WORK-BASED LEARNING AT FFC8: Internships for Credit

Skilled Trades Career Panel

SKILLED TRADES CAREER PANEL at Fountain-Fort Carson High School 

Panelists Healthcare Career Panel

HEALTHCARE CAREER PANEL at Fountain-Fort Carson High School 

Career Panel at Fountain Middle School

MULTI-CAREER PATHWAY CAREER PANEL at Fountain Middle School 

Hospitality and Tourism Career Panel

HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM CAREER PANEL Fountain-Fort Carson High School 

Student Engaging with Healthcare Career Panel

HEALTHCARE CAREER PANEL at Fountain-Fort Carson High School 

Career Panel

MULTI-CAREER PATHWAY CAREER PANEL at Patriot Elementary School