Pittsburg High School Adds more Career Pathways Programs - KOAM TV 7

Cynthia Hernandez, a Pittsburg High School senior   and five classmates are getting salon kits for cosmetology class at the start of this new semester.  While still in high school, they'll get tools of the trade and hands on experience too. 

Cynthia says, "I  thought it was a good idea to get a  start on my career.  I  thought it was a great opportunity to get a taste of it before going into it."

The principal Jon Bishop says, "This is an opportunity for them to see is this the right fit for me. If they go and go through it and think I'm not sure that's 100 percent what I want to do, they  can at least experience that and  move on to college or post secondary opportunities and  make decisions more suitable for their needs."

For some it's a faster way to an income. Senior Courtney Cannici says, "There's people who make their full  living off that (cosmetology). I thought it would be a good stable job while going to law school.  It would also be something for me  to fall back on, I would have a degree in something I enjoy doing."

Their  instructor has seen career pathways programs  work with her own son who is  in welding. 

 Fawn Lallemand says, "He loves it.  It gave him a career path so I believe in it  whole heartedly.  They'll get basic skills, pedicuring, manicuring, waxing and one haircut. They'll 

 learn shampooing, communication skills, how to interact with people and they will have some book work." 

Besides cosmetology,  an emt class and culinary arts class are being added and  those are held  at the high.  Students says they're excited to take a class that can lead to a career and is something they enjoy.  

 

Mcauley Windsor is in culinary arts and says, "I  love it only, I had one  class so far but I am completely pumped about it. I've already learned some stuff I didn't know and can't   wait to really get into it, dig into it  and make stuff from scratch."

Administrators  polled students for the types of programs they wanted and says the other five existing pathways programs have proven successful at keeping students in school through graduation. Superintendent Destry Brown says, "I think it has a motivation factor for us, so I'm hoping that's the effect. The masonry program, carpentry program did that when  we started those and  we've been able to keep more kids in school. So hopefully these will do the same things."

Students agree the programs are more engaging.  Mcauley says, "When its something I enjoy I Know I can do a lot better  in it than something I just have to do."

Cynthia says "I think its going to be challenging but I know that I really like it so I'm willing to put in the effort." 

The pay off: experience and training as they leave high school. 

 The new career pathways are offered like other  in partnership with Fort Scott Community College and follow a two year completion plan to earn certifications.