Work-Based Learning
Explore & Plan your Career so you can have the Happy Life you deserve
My goal is to help students in the Fort Mill School District high schools meet professionals doing the work they hope to do some day. This should help them better plan their next move after high school ~ on-the-job training, 2-year or 4-year college, apprenticeship or military. I work with area businesses and community organizations to understand their workforce needs, training and hiring practices. It is my dream job to bring students and professionals together and see good things happen.
Contact Info: bracketts@fortmillschools.org or 803-517-3188 cell
Susan Brackett ~ 2 Ways I HelpTwo Ways to Work with Me
I appreciate the opportunity to make connections with experts in the field I'm interested in because I'm able to get a better idea of what comes with the profession and the path to get there. Being able to receive this real experience and knowledge from professionals allows me to determine if I am truly interested in that specific job.
Logan Snodgrass
Junior Fort Mill High School
Individual Students can present their "sincere curiosity" about a career field to me. They may remember me introducing myself in their High School 101 class or share their career interest with a counselor, teacher or parent, who reaches out to me.
Career & Technology Education (CTE) are elective classes that sometimes involve observations in the workplace, internships or apprenticeships. In these scenarios, I may be working behind the scenes with the CTE teachers to help make arrangements for students.
These career clusters help you find information on this web page and other research you might do. Look for the corresponding tabs under students.
Career and Technical Education includes programs of study in different career pathways. This video highlights the various programs available in SC high schools. Click on the CTE logo to see the highlights video.
How I help students.mp4Five Ways I can Help
Informational Interviews ~ called job shadowing in the lower grades
Projects where input is required or desired
Internships ~ semester or summer long learning in workplace
Apprenticeships/Employment ~ always paid and lead to a career
Work-Based Learning Courses ~ above and beyond Career & Technology Education classes
My introductions typically include three things:
Student’s statement about their passion and interest in a specific field, organization and/or professional
Teacher’s comment about the student’s character and work-ethic
Request for an informational interview to learn about the professional’s career path and company and advice for the future
ROI.mp4Know why you're going to College or taking another path. It's too expensive to make the decision with out a career goal.
Dr. Stephanie Le, Forensic Psychiatrist with the SC Dept of Mental Health, shares her opinion on how to find your career path.
Dr. Kevin Wickes, Psychologist, Integrative Counseling Services, Inc. shares he thoughts on how to figure out what you career you want to pursue. Watch the video.