Author: William M. Bloomfield

Publisher:

Published: 1989

Total Pages: 44

ISBN-13:

Career Beginnings (CB) is a national program begun in 1985 to increase the likelihood of minority and other disadvantaged urban students to participate in postsecondary education or to obtain a good job. CB unites high schools, businesses, and local colleges in working partnerships to develop the potential of moderately-achieving high school students and help them overcome their social and educational deficiencies by exposing them to the college environment and the world of work in a personal way. The program provides the following services: (1) college and career preparation; (2) summer and school-year work experience; (3) academic tutoring; (4) counseling and support services; and (5) individual guidance and encouragement from adult mentors from the business and professional communities. Participants are targeted during the beginning of their junior year in high school and attend a series of structured workshops to assist them make the transition from youth to adulthood. Each student is matched with a mentor who meets with the student at least once a month to discuss career and college planning. Students have the opportunity to work in entry-level jobs with career potential to teach them the demands of the workplace. Ongoing advising, advocacy, and counseling is provided year-round to keep the student focused on his/her goals. In the first three years of the program, 95 percent of the participants graduated from high school, 65 percent attended college, and 80 percent of those students completed their second year of college. In October 1988, 90 percent of the graduates were either in college, enrolled in training programs, in the military, or on the job. A list of 16 references and a list of titles in the Phi Delta Kappa Fastback Series are appended. (FMW)