Career Education & Workforce Development
Partners in Education and its programs are administered by the Santa Barbara County Education Office.
Career education has been a primary focus for Partners since 1977, and a number of Partners programs and initiatives help prepare students for the local workforce. Current programs include the following:- Career Day - an annual event involving more than 200 local business members representing more than 100 different occupations to share with over 2,000 high school student about career paths. This event offers students the opportunity to learn more about the careers they are interested in pursuing. Partners coordinates five career days per year.
- Mock Interviews - an invitation for an interview is great news - but it can also be stressful. Many students do not have experience interviewing for a job. A Mock Interview provides students with the opportunity to understand the interview process and provide experience in an interview format. Partners calls on business professionals to volunteer their time by interviewing a student and providing advice on proper attire and demeanor, how to fill out an application and other questions a student may have.
- Job Shadow - an opportunity designed to provide students with the unique opportunity to visit a work place, "shadowing" workplace mentors as they go through a typical work day. The program invites students to see firsthand how the skills learned in school relate to the workplace, and also gives students the opportunity to learn more about careers they may be considering.
- Student Internships - Partners assists local students and schools connect with employers who are willing to host interns in experiential learning activities. These connections help youth find their own personal potential in exciting career fields in a supportive atmosphere that communicates to each student their ability to achieve success.
- Guest Speakers - business volunteers are invited to share their career experiences with students. Speakers share what education, skills and experience is needed to do their job. Students are provided the opportunity to ask any question pertaining to the career path (e.g., salary and benefits, required training, day-to-day job duties). Speakers are encouraged to bring visual aids and provide demonstrations and other methods to engage students.