Students sometimes explain the benefit of things better than the adults in charge. See below:
"My name is Olivia W. and I am a 10th grader at Lexington High School.  This year I had the privilege in attending a career day at our high school.  I attended the lesson on Animal Science or in other words the class on becoming a Veterinarian.  I have always wanted to be a Veterinarian and am still striving to be one.  This helped confirm that feeling and helped me understand what it is going to take to achieve that goal.  We got to hear what it is like in the office first hand and the many different jobs and people it takes to run the practice of a Veterinarian clinic.  Dr. Susan Burkhart also talked about what classes to take in high school as well as what to look for in college.  The advice was sound and something best said with experience.  I enjoyed the class and learned a lot from it.  I am thankful for the opportunity the career day gave me."

The work of coaches is all about the students and students recognize the work of the coaches on their behalf. As one senior said, "Mrs. Showers has helped me not only with my project but also with my life goals. She is always there when I need help and a very smart and reliable person to go to. I appreciate the work she does for the high school and don't know how I would've gotten through my project without her."
Below are some of the students Mrs. Showers works with each week.

People often ask me what a Career Coach does in the district. Truthfully it can vary by the needs and size of the district. One thing most have in common, meeting one-on-one with students. But there is more, and their work compliments the work of the school counselor.

Below is a list of things you might hear a Career Coach say they do:

• Meeting in a large group with every student grades 7-12 and getting them on the Ohio Means Jobs website and completing  the Career Cluster Inventory
• Meeting with every student in grades 8-12 individually to follow up on career plans, including going to the local Tech High School or college
• Meeting with every Senior to assist with college choice, seeking financial aid, etc
• Hold a Financial Aid Information night for parents
• Meeting with the 6th grade students to have them complete the Career Cluster Inventory
• Accompanied the sophomores on their trip to the tech school and following up with them on their choices
• Organized a visit to local colleges and universities.
• Planned a Middle school career day.
• Attended training days which included business field trips.
• ​Met with school counselors to make sure work was not being replicated.

Shirley Nasipak took her juniors to the Urban Center in downtown Mansfield where they heard speakers share about different career options. They then utilized the Urban Center lab to take the Focus II –Self assessment piece that connects possible interests to college majors and careers. They also spent time using www.fastweb.com to look for and apply for scholarships.

Allison F. is a junior enrolled in the Health Assistant program at Pioneer Career and Technology Center. In January Allison asked to meet with her junior career coach (me) to discuss a number of career-based concerns. “When I came down to see Mrs. Ream, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted a career in the health field, but I wasn’t sure what was available. I did the Career Profile on Ohio Means Jobs and then looked at a lot of different occupations. We searched different medical jobs, and I was most interested in the Occupational Therapist Assistant program at North Central State College.”  After Allison completes the Health Assistant program at PCTC, she hopes to use the Ohio College Credit program to receive free tuition at NCSC where she intends to pursue an associate’s degree in the Occupation Therapist Assistant program.

​Cheyenne B. is a junior enrolled in the Horticulture program at PCTC. During a class computer lab session with her junior career coach, Cheyenne set up an Ohio Means Jobs account, developed a Career Profile, and completed an Ohio Means Jobs Scavenger Hunt to learn to navigate the site. Also, as a class assignment, Cheyenne’s English class used Ohio Means Jobs to develop and post their resumes.
As a result, this spring Cheyenne has received two phone calls from potential employers who saw her resume on the site. Unfortunately, both employers were looking for full time employees, and that will not work for Cheyenne who is still in high school.
However, Cheyenne is encouraged that posting her resume has brought interest in her as a potential employee.