Empowering the Future: The Impact of Our Career Coach on Local Youth
At Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas, we believe that career readiness begins early. That’s why we’re proud to highlight the important work of our Career Coach, who’s making a lasting impact on students across our region. Through hands-on engagement and personalized career guidance, our Career Coach is helping students in grades 5-12 explore a wide range of career opportunities, preparing them for future success, and empowering them to make informed decisions about their career paths.
One of the Career Coach’s primary roles is to provide students with valuable career information and resources. By collaborating closely with local school districts, teachers, and administrators, our Career Coach helps students explore various career options, from technical and community college opportunities to internships, apprenticeships, and industry certifications. “Everything about these workshops have been beneficial.” One Brookeland ISD teacher says, “This content is so important, and I really like the way it has been conveyed to the students. Students have enjoyed the activities and slide show so much!” Through interactive presentations, workshops, and career fairs, students gain the tools and knowledge they need to navigate their career journeys.
In addition to traditional career resources, our Career Coach integrates advanced technologies to give students hands-on experience with real-world tools. For instance, using Texas Reality Check, students can compare salaries, cost of living, and job requirements across different fields, enabling them to make more informed decisions about their financial and personal goals. The Career Coach also uses O*NET, an online resource that provides detailed descriptions of job titles, required skills, and educational pathways, helping students gain a deeper understanding of various careers.
Our Career Coach takes career exploration to the next level with cutting-edge technology like virtual reality (VR). Through VR, students can experience different career paths, such as working as a lineman or ambulance driver, allowing them to step into realistic job environments. This immersive technology enables students to explore various occupations without the commitment or risk of traditional job shadowing or internships. It helps students make well-informed decisions about their future careers, ensuring they are confident and clear about their career choices before investing time, money, and resources into education or training.
The Career Coach doesn’t just bring the world of work to students through virtual tools; their presence in schools also encourages job exploration and partnerships with local employers through events like internships and worksite visits. A key part of the Career Coach’s role is to educate students, parents, and guardians about the many career opportunities available within our community. By seeing firsthand what it takes to succeed in various fields—such as healthcare, manufacturing, IT, and business—students are better prepared to make informed decisions about their futures.
The influence of the Career Coach extends beyond the classroom. By helping students understand the workforce needs in our region, the Career Coach is preparing the next generation to pursue rewarding careers in industries where they can truly make a difference. With their guidance, students are empowered to take the next step—whether it’s pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, or enrolling in a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program.
As Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas continues to build a stronger, more skilled workforce, our Career Coach is playing a key role in guiding local youth toward success. Through early career awareness and providing the necessary resources to make informed choices, the Career Coach is making a real difference in the lives of students, their families, and our entire community. By investing in students today, we’re building a brighter future for the workforce of tomorrow.
In 2024, our Career Coach served 6,786 students across 31 campuses, delivering 409 sessions. Here’s a breakdown of the numbers:
Jan-Mar 2024: 2,918 students (157 sessions)
Apr-June 2024: 1,088 students (76 sessions)
July-Sept 2024: 760 students (54 sessions)
Oct-Dec 2024: 2,020 students (122 sessions)
While we currently have one Career Coach, we’re excited to expand and reach even more students in the coming year. If you’d like to sign your middle or high school students up for next school year, please fill out this interest form https://forms.office.com/r/QNEwsNF9r1.
Through these efforts, we’re not just helping students today—we’re helping shape the workforce of tomorrow.
TOPICS: Youth Career Explorations
