The Partnership facilitates monthly consortium meetings where career coordinators, co-op educators, guidance counselors and other interested educators can network, share resources and develop career exploration programs for their students. The two consortia (Cumberland/Perry and Dauphin) have programs they plan individually within their area as well as jointly for the entire region.
Cumberland/Perry County Consortium Events
ACE Mentoring
ACE Mentoring is a national program offered to Cumberland & Perry County students through R.S. Mowery & Sons, Inc. The program's mission is to enlighten and increase the awareness of high school students to career opportunities in architecture, construction and engineering and related areas of the design and construction industry through mentoring; and to provide scholarship opportunities for students in an inclusive manner reflective of the diverse school population. Many area businesses act as mentors in the program. (
www.acementor.org)
Careers in Construction Exploration
This exploration program features a different company and worksite visit on the last Thursday of each month throughout the school year. School districts bring a select number of students along to explore careers in construction ranging from excavation to home building to civil engineering. Different careers — along with training levels — are discussed by company representatives and then students are given a tour of a facility or worksite, highlighting the hands-on piece of the earlier discussion.
Holy Spirit Hospital Healthcare Careers Exploration
The Health Care Careers Exploration Program will require students to engage in critical thinking, observation, assessment and reflection on career choices through a mentor relationship with health care professionals in a variety of settings. The focus is career awareness and exploration, which does not include skill sets to perform a particular health care related job. Students will experience a mentor relationship with health care professionals through the rotation of approximately 30 different departments. Students are to be actively involved, participating in a reciprocal relationship with each health care mentor. The program will consist of two segments: a required nine-week career exploratory rotation and an optional service learning experience coordinated by the Holy Spirit Health System Volunteer Department.
Dauphin County Consortium Events
ACE Mentoring
ACE Mentoring is a national program offered to Dauphin County students through Hershey Entertainment and Resorts. The program's mission is to enlighten and increase the awareness of high school students to career opportunities in architecture, construction and engineering and related areas of the design and construction industry through mentoring; and to provide scholarship opportunities for students in an inclusive manner reflective of the diverse school population. The Dauphin County program is unique in that it also offers a component in the skilled trades areas. Many area businesses act as mentors in both the professional and skilled trades areas. (
www.acementor.org)
Business Side of Sports
Students visit with officials from the Harrisburg Senators and Hershey Bears to learn more about the various careers opportunities available behind the scenes.
On the Road Series
The purpose of the On the Road series is to further students' career development by connecting them to businesses in the area. Each session will allow students to explore various careers within a targeted industry. Emphasis will be placed on industries that house pennsylvania's high priority occupations. The series will also allow participants to connect with their peers from other school districts in Dauphin County who share their similar vocational interests. Previous exploration sites include: WITF, US Postal Service, and Hershey Center for Applied Research. Future visits include the PA Department of Agriculture and the Capital Area Biotechnology Partnership.