RHS Senior Career Path Project Q&A
WHY DO WE DO A CAREER SEARCH PROJECT?
Royal High School has decided to do a senior project to fulfill the Washington State graduation requirements. This is your chance to learn what you want and to manage your own learning. In a sense, this is your entry into adulthood - you can learn to accomplish your goals in your way. Helping you learn to manage your own goals is the best gift we can give you before you graduate. The goal of the project is for you to:
- Network in the community outside of school and family (mentors, agencies, businesses).
- Explore a career path that connects to your future.
- Apply academic learning to a vocational or academic career path.
- Serve the community.
- Extend your learning in a way that classroom instruction at Royal High School cannot.
- Develop personal initiative, intrinsic motivation, and resourcefulness.
- All RHS graduates need to successfully complete a senior project to graduate - including Running Start students.
HOW SHOULD I CHOOSE A CARRER PATH PROJECT?
Choose a career path project that you personally are invested in. Don't choose a career path just because it sounds easy or because other people tell you that you should do it. Also, take into account personal characteristics, Washington Occupational Information Services (WOIS) career path test, high school classes taken, quality of life issues, salary, parental/guardian advice, and other inputs before making a decision. Once you have chosen your career path project you are required to stay on it during your senior year.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD CAREER PATH PROJECT?
Designing and completing a successful project means more than simply putting in hours at a task. Projects require new learning and demand the application of that learning. As you choose your project focus, think about what you want to learn. This allows you to achieve your learning goals in new ways if your situation changes through the course of the year. Remember you will be required to present what you have learned to a community panel and answer any questions about your journey along your career path project and be prepared.
WHAT EXACTLY AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?
Students are responsible for:
- Identifying a viable career path focused on educational path to job.
- Completing a WOIS career search and Identify Top three career fields.
- Meeting with your teacher and completing assignments at the assigned times.
- Communicating with Mrs. Eilers and Mr. Perkins throughout the life of the project, not just at required times.
- Providing both written documentation and tangible evidence of project progress throughout.
- Establishing relations in the community to gain help (formal or informal mentorship's).
- Completing a successful resource exploration through two Job Shadow's.
- Preparing a PowerPoint to present to CWP class and community panel.
- Passing all senior project requirements in senior English and CWP classes.
ARE THERE OPTIONS TO WHAT I CAN DO?
Changing your project: You may not change your project after the summer of your junior year. Minor changes require permission by Mrs. Eilers and Mr. Mitchell.
- Some student career path projects have certain conditions or criteria that must be met outside of the project guidelines. Student's who do not meet project guidelines may ask for a project waiver from Mrs. Eilers and Mr. Mitchell on a case-by-case basis. This waiver must be granted prior to the start of CWP. Waiver deadline is Jan. 15.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Risk Management guidelines have been included separately on the website. You will be expected to have read these guidelines. Projects that involve unethical or illegal behavior are of course prohibited. Students will be informed if they need administrative approval of project proposals and will be directed to the appropriate administrator.
Changing your project: You may not change your project after the summer of your junior year. Minor changes require permission by Mrs. Eilers and Mr. Mitchell.
WHO WILL EVALUATE MY PROJECT?
Mrs. Eilers and Mr. Mitchell will evaluate your project work and documentation. It is essential to the success of your project that you establish and maintain good communication with your teacher. To do this you should:
- Propose, plan and document your work according to the guidelines, which will be provided for you.
- Meet ALL scheduled due dates for project components.
- Communicate regularly with Mrs. Eilers and Mr. Mitchell regarding your project.
Questions?