Mentorship is a career exploration class at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. It is a project-based research course in which students learn about occupations and develop focused career ideas and opinions. Developed for high achieving juniors and seniors, it is an Honors course with high expectations for enrolled students.
Students work in unpaid internships with a mentor, of their choosing, for a minimum of two hours per week. Internships exist in a variety of fields including engineering, law, medicine, communications, education, advertising, accounting, graphic design, veterinary, film, music, fashion, firefighting, architecture, aerospace, physical therapy, radio broadcast, law enforcement, lobbying, science lab studies, interior design, hotel management, marketing & PR, ministry, photography, real estate, and more.
At their placement, students engage in meaningful workplace conversations, attend meetings, conduct research, interview professionals, perform work tasks, and create a variety of products. Mentorship curriculum includes elements of employment professionalism, time management, effective oral and written communication, interpersonal skills, interviewing, and goal setting to help prepare students for success in future college and career life. Self-management is a required skill. At the conclusion of the semester, students compose and present an extensive presentation summarizing their learning and workplace experiences, present a portfolio, and create a product that relates to their career placement in front of an invited audience.
