Where Goals Meet Experience
SCHOOL-TO-CAREER
We help students make decisions informed by real-world experience regarding their career and education goals.
Our mission is to promote K-16 career education and to assist in preparing youth for the demands of the workplace. The River East School to Career Partnership brings together schools, businesses, and organizations to create exciting career exploration opportunities for students.
SCHOOL-TO-CAREER
Three elements, one system.
River East School to Career is part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts School-to-Career system.
The intention of the system is to give all students the academic, technical/technological, and employability skills necessary to compete in higher education and the workplace.
The system is composed of three elements: School-Based Learning, Work-Based Learning, and Connecting Activities. These efforts match students and employers and create links among schools, employers, parents and students.
Students learn about different industries and occupations and see how the subject matter taught in the classroom applies to the workplace. Lessons are designed to have relevance to the world of work.
School-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning
Students receive structured training and mentoring at job sites to apply classroom lessons in a real work situation. Students can apply academic skills to real-world settings and learn more about post-secondary education and training needed for possible careers from their workplace mentors.
Connecting Activities
A strategy that can help prepare today’s high school student for careers and post-secondary education. Employers collaborate with schools to provide a variety of workshop and seminar presentations, classroom speakers, career fairs, tutoring, mentoring, e-mentoring, interviewing practice, and mock interviews.
“I’m so happy that I had this opportunity. Getting hands-on experience and the networking that came with it will help me in my career.”
— Lantana Miesl with the Sturbridge Police Dept.
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 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.