Category: Schools

For high school students, it’s never too early to start thinking about building career connections. Whether you’re interested in exploring various fields or gaining some relevant experience, having a strong network of professionals can open doors and help you find your way in the workforce. Here are five ways to start building career connections in high school:

1. Join a Career-Related Club or Organization

Many high schools offer clubs and organizations that are centered around specific career fields, such as business, engineering, or healthcare. These clubs can be a great way to meet like-minded people, attend conferences and events, and gain exposure to potential career paths. Even if your school doesn’t offer a club that matches your interests, you can start your own club or reach out to community organizations for opportunities to get involved.

2. Attend Career Fairs and Networking Events

Attending career fairs and networking events can help you meet professionals in your desired field, learn about new job opportunities, and get a sense of what skills and experiences are required in your industry of interest. Many organizations, such as chambers of commerce, community groups, and universities, host these types of events throughout the year.

3. Volunteer in Your Community

Volunteering can be a powerful way to gain experience, build skills, and network with professionals who are passionate about the same things as you. Consider volunteering in a field that interests you, such as hospitals, schools, or animal shelters. Not only will you develop relationships with those you work with, but you can also use those experiences to add to your resume when you begin applying for future jobs.

4. Seek Out Job Shadowing or Internship Opportunities

If you can, try to find opportunities to shadow someone in your desired field or intern at a company during your free time. These experiences can give you a firsthand look at what working in your career of interest is really like and can also help you build connections with professionals in the industry. Additionally, internships can help you gain some valuable experience for your resume, which can increase your chances of getting hired.

5. Connect with Alumni

Finally, building connections with alumni from your high school can be a great way to gain insight into various career fields and learn about potential job opportunities. Many high schools have alumni chapters or networks where you can connect with former students who have since entered the workforce. Try reaching out to alumni in fields that interest you and ask them about their career paths and what advice they would give to someone just starting out.

By taking advantage of these opportunities and actively working to build career connections in high school, you’ll be better positioned to succeed in your future career. Regardless of your interests or career goals, networking with professionals and building relationships with like-minded peers can help open doors and set you on the path to success. 

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today, and it is critical that schools prepare for its effects. Here are six ways schools can get ready:

1. Educate Students about Climate Change

The first step in preparing for climate change is to educate students about the issue, so they understand its causes, effects, and potential solutions. Teachers can use a variety of resources to teach about climate change, including books, films, and online resources. Schools should create lesson plans that teach students about how the climate is changing, how humans contribute to this change, and what they can do to prevent it.

2. Create a School Climate Resilience Plan

Schools should create a school climate resilience plan that outlines how the school will adapt to the effects of climate change. The plan should include strategies for reducing the school’s carbon footprint, improving energy efficiency, promoting sustainable practices, and preparing for extreme weather events. This plan should be regularly updated and reviewed to ensure that it is effective.

3. Develop a Green Campus Initiative

A green campus initiative can help schools reduce their carbon footprint by promoting sustainable practices on campus. This can include a variety of efforts, such as reducing energy use, promoting recycling and composting, using green transportation options, and using renewable energy sources. Schools can also encourage students and staff to get involved in these efforts by creating clubs or initiatives that focus on sustainability.

4. Implement Water Conservation Measures

Water conservation measures can help schools reduce their water usage, which can help prepare for the effects of droughts and other water-related climate events. Schools can install efficient plumbing fixtures, teach students about water conservation, and promote drought-resistant landscaping. Schools can also collaborate with local water utilities to implement conservation measures.

5. Prep for Extreme Weather Events

Schools should prepare for extreme weather events by creating an emergency plan that addresses how the school will respond in the event of a flood, hurricane, or other natural disasters. This plan should outline evacuation procedures, communication strategies, and emergency responses. Schools should also conduct regular drills to ensure that students and staff are prepared for these events.

6. Encourage Community Engagement

Schools can prepare for the effects of climate change by engaging with their local community. This can include working with local governments to promote sustainability, collaborating with businesses to promote green practices, and engaging with community members to promote climate resilience. By working together, schools and their local communities can create a more sustainable and resilient future.

Climate change is a major challenge, but schools can play an important role in preparing for its effects. By educating students, creating resilience plans, promoting sustainability, conserving water, preparing for extreme weather events, and engaging with their communities, schools can help prepare for a more resilient future.