Career Awareness and Employability

Year 2- Criminal Justice Essentials 

The activities in this class aid student's technical skills, and employability practices. Students are encouraged to seek job shadowing and internship opportunities with different agencies in law enforcement, fire, or legal offices. Moreover, students continue with employability skills by improving communication, composing cover letters, completing employment applications, updating resumes, using job search engines to find jobs, and mock interviews. Mock trials and peer court cases prepare those students who are interested in woking in the courts or practicing law. The mock police academy gives students an opportunity to participate in realistic police activities such as traffic stops, building searches, accident investigations, and report writing. Students in the second year visit Georgia Supreme Court and Harold Banke Courthouse. 

Student Resume 

Year 3- Forensic Science/Criminal Investigations

Riverdale High School students complete an interview packet in preparation for mock panel interviews which includes an up to date resume, cover letter and a link to their portfolio.  At the beginning of the third year students are tasked with determining their preferred career field. Industry professionals in those career fields are invited to Riverdale High School to participate in our mock panel interviews. Students will interview with a panel of approximately 3-4 industry professionals. This activity begins the networking process for each student who participates and provides them with at least one mentor in the their preferred industry. Students are encouraged to attend as many college and career fairs to explore opportunities in either employment, enlistment, enrollment, or entrepenurship. Students engage in realistic crime scene processing activities, criminal investigative acts, and lab work that simulate those duties of crime scene investigators, criminal investigators, and forensic scientists. Students in the third year class are visited by guest speakers who are forensic scientists, forensic pathologists, crime scene investigators, and criminal investigators.  Students have participated in career exploratory field experiences at Atlanta Police Crime Lab. 

Year 4- Work Based Learning 

After students have completed the pathway they are encouraged to enroll in work based learning. Work-based learning offers students internships or cooperative learning experiences with law enforcement departments, fire departments, Clayton County Board of Education, Clayton County District Attorney's Office, and Clayton County Solicitor General's Office. Employability mastery students engage and demonstrate an understanding of mock assessment center simulations through report writing, incident analysis, and courtroom testimony. To conclude, the final evaluation of teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills occur in the SkillsUSA Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO).

Certifications & Credentials 

At Riverdale High School the end of the pathway assessment is a key component of our career and technical education program. We use the NOCTI Assessment which is a nationally recognized test that measures how well students have mastered the knowledge and proficiency needed for specific careers in LPSCS.

End of Pathway Overview:

NOCTI Testing: law and public safety students who are enrolled in the Clayton County Law and Public Safety Pathway programs are required to complete the NOCTI Assessment, which measures the students technical skills and knowledge to ensure they are prepared for workforce entry or post-secondary education.

Outstanding Performance: Over the past two years, approximately 60 students have participated in the NOCTI testing at Riverdale High School, with a passing rate of 95%. This outstanding performance reflects the effectiveness of Riverdale High School’s curriculum and teaching methods in preparing students for career success. 

The district does not offer opportunities for students to take advantage of industry licensing or certifications. 

Work Based Learning

Riverdale High School offers a Work-Based Learning (WBL) program that provides students with the ability to develop employability and technical skills for a career and postsecondary success with real world related experiences. Students are able to engage in hands-on learning that also connects classroom instruction with practical workplace applications.  The partnership between education and industry professionals allow students to gain valuable job experience and build skills needed in the workforce or in their pursuit of higher education. The work based learning program at Riverdale High School affords students the opportunity to participate in career awareness, and exploration activities to enhance the student's readiness for future career opportunities. Some students are recognized in the program for their outstanding achievements.