Where Education Meets Opportunity
We call it School-to-Career.
School-To-Career.
By aligning schools and employers, we create career opportunities for students.
River East promotes career education and assists in preparing youth for the demands of today's workplace. Our River East School to Career Partnership brings together schools, businesses, and organizations for motivated students.
Our school districts include: Belchertown, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Hampden-Wilbraham, Monson, Palmer, Pathfinder Regional VTHS, Quaboag Regional, Tantasqua Regional, and Ware.
Join Our Success!
MEET
Lantana Meisl
Lantana served an internship with the Sturbridge Police Department. Her experience taught her enough to know that law enforcement was something she wants to pursue. She credits River East for making this possible.
MEET
Sean Paine
Sean is a Police Sergeant for the town of Sturbridge, Massachusetts. He is also a mentor helping students to gain real hands-on experience and on-the-job training to further their professional goals. River East connected Sean and the Sturbridge Police Department with Lantana Meisl. (See Lantana’s story above.)
MEET
Marty O’Shea
As the Superintendent of Public Schools for Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Marty O’Shea is on the front lines working with River East’s School to Career partnership to guide and support his schools in creating Work-Based learning programs.
Our Programs
Worksite Tours
These early career awareness activities for students are highly-structured and provide insight into the work environment, various professions, industries, and expectations of the workplace.
Workplace Readiness Training
To begin, we prepare students with job search tools including resume building. We conduct mock job interviews with students, talk to students about workplace requirements including attendance, dress, punctuality, teamwork, communication and job-specific skills, etc.
Job Shadowing
Students visit with a professional employee in their career interest area to observe the workplace environment. Not only can they learn more about a career by being in the presence of the workplace, but they experience the day to day operation and tasks of the employees.
Career Day Presentations
Career Day presenters are grouped with other presenters according to the career cluster that corresponds with their occupation. Each presenter shares information about their specific occupation with students.
Work-Based Learning & Co-Op Placements
A student is paired with a business/mentor who can offer work experience to the student in their chosen career area. These activities typically take place within the school day. Student progress is assessed through the Massachusetts Work-Based Learning Plan.
Job Opportunities
River East experiences often point students to opportunities for part-time, full-time, Summer/Seasonal, or post-graduate work.
School-to-Career Scholarships
Each year, River East School to Career awards scholarships to deserving students from each of our high schools. These scholarships can be used for higher educational pursuits or for a future career including buying supplies for their chosen career or training opportunity.
Annual Recognition Awards
In the spring of each year, we recognize those who have participated in making our year a success. Awards are earned by student/mentor teams, local businesses, and individuals who have contributed their time to the organization and to those student/mentor teams who have performed exceptionally during the year.
Sponsorships
During the year, River East hosts events that help support our work. We welcome sponsorships of the events. The funds raised support student-centered programs and scholarship awards.
Ready To Take The Next Step?
Parents
Helping Students Move Forward.
Making Informed Decisions.
Students
Explore Your Future. River East Provides Real-world Opportunities.
Employers
Invest In Your Future Success.
Our Students Are Ready To Join You.
