Guidance Department: Vocational Assistance

Career and Technical Counselor: Mr. Markin

The Career & Technical Counselor is available to assist students in selecting appropriate academic and vocational/technical courses that relate to their educational and career plans as well as opportunities to explore career options. What follows is a brief outline of services:

• Individual counseling appointments: Interests, aptitudes, skills and preferences may be discussed in order to help with choices of courses and careers.

• Employment/Job seminars and labor market information: Classroom programs and information will be provided about career options, employment trends, resume writing, job search information, and job seeking /job keeping skills.

• Academic TECH PREP planning and vocational course information: Academic TECH PREP programs, vocational programs, cooperative work programs, applications for programs at the Chesapeake Center for Science and Technology and special program information will be provided as appropriate.

• Vocational assessments to identify interests, aptitudes, and skills for decision making about careers and education: Classroom and individual assessments such as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, Virginia VIEW, Vocational Assessments (Phases I & II), Tidewater Community College Placement Test, and the GED Pretest may be administered.

• Training to use guidance software programs (CHOICES and VA VIEW): Students may use these programs in the computer lab or the Guidance and Counseling Departments career center to obtain information for over 800 careers. Information includes education, training qualifications, expectations, working conditions, job outlook, and skills needed.

• Part-time job information, work permits and work regulations: Announcements for local job openings are posted when available; work permits are issued for students 14 and 15 years of age.

• Military and private technical and trade school information: Recruiter visits are scheduled, ROTC scholarship information and programs are given; visits by representatives of trade and technical schools are arranged.

• Community College Programs: Linkages to career training, post-secondary education, and apprenticeships are available through the community college.

• Other services: Linkages with the business community give students a clearer understanding of the workplace and job market through various work experiences such as job shadowing, internships, information interviews, and cooperative work programs.