Teacher Contact: 703-784-0303 or QMHS Webmaster

COURSE TITLE: Career Practicum

COURSE LENGTH: 18-36 weeks

Major Concepts/Content: Career Practicum is designed to provide school-to-career experiences and training through a work practicum related to their career goal. Important aspects are to:

• Provide students an opportunity to acquire an understanding of actual employment settings utilizing their skills and aptitudes
• Apply problem solving skills in the work environment
• Develop communication techniques
• Utilize electronic information systems to search for career information
• Explore information resources
• Acquire learning and self-management tools
• Develop intrapersonal and interpersonal competencies

In addition, the exploration of different occupations  will aid the students in making important career decisions. Career Practicum extends student educational opportunities beyond the curricular, physical, and financial resources of the school.

Major Instructional Activities: Instructional activities will emphasize the community as a classroom.  Every training site provides unique hands-on experiences that are related to students' particular interests.  In addition students will:

• Complete job applications
• Participate in job interviews
• Prepare a resume with a cover letter
• Research careers utilizing the Internet, as well as traditional means
• Complete interest and aptitude instruments
• Participate in career-related classroom activities
• Develop a career plan with input from the Career Development Coordinator, guidance counselor, and parents.

Major Evaluative Techniques: Student evaluations will include

• Supervisor's evaluations
• Coordinator's evaluations
• Weekly attendance/time sheets
• Classroom assignments.

Essential Objectives: Upon successful completion of Career Practicum students should be able to

• Formulate a realistic career plan by analyzing personal interest aptitudes, values, and abilities
• Apply qualities that are required to be successful on the job
• Evaluate the importance of work in society 
• Research future career opportunities
• Interact successfully with the public, their peers, and supervisors
• Apply basic competency skills to the related work environment.