How can we better prepare juniors and seniors in high school for the next chapter of their lives? Many students choose a career pathway with little or no experience or knowledge about local, well-paying careers that fit their strengths and interests.
Monroe’s Student Occupation & Academic Readiness (SOAR) program gives students the opportunity to earn a fair wage while receiving hands-on training. We are looking for local businesses, in any industry, that would like to provide Work Experience, Internships and Youth Apprenticeships for our students.
Work Experience allows students who are currently employed to earn school credit for working instead of taking a class. Work Experience positions are existing entry-level jobs. Students are required to work 10 hours per week and provide bi-weekly proof of employment. Students provide their own transportation and may receive time during school to go to work.
SOAR Internships require a school year-long commitment, and are offered by employers willing to provide a mentor to help students master the knowledge, skills and competencies needed for career success in their industry. Students apply for SOAR Internships and interview with participating businesses. As with Work Experience, students are required to work 10 hours a week, and they earn school credit for working instead of taking a class.
Youth Apprenticeships are similar to SOAR Internships (paid on-the-job learning, students apply and interview for the program, and great results depend on a good mentor) with the added bonus of earning certification from the State of Wisconsin in their chosen industry pathway. (Not all industries have a Youth Apprenticeship pathway. More are being developed every year.) Youth Apprenticeship students work a minimum of 450 hours (generally a school year plus a summer) while receiving related educational training through school. Students can start a Youth Apprenticeship as early as the summer before their junior year and continue to graduation.
Is SOAR for Every Student?
Yes! The benefits of work-based learning are so varied that every kind of student can find tremendous value in it. For students joining the workforce after graduation, SOAR offers exploration of jobs and employers, along with hands-on opportunities for students to explore their career interests and develop necessary hard (technical) and soft (character) skills for future employment.
For college-bound students, SOAR can provide experiences that make college classes more meaningful, make higher education more affordable, and provide students with insight into what it will take to reach their career goals.
The skills students learn through the SOAR program will be of benefit no matter what career they choose. Critical thinking, complex problem-solving and data analysis are necessary skills in today’s workforce. Most importantly, SOAR experiences give students a chance to evaluate career options before they invest in higher education.
SOAR is a win for business owners too. Youth Apprenticeships and internships offer a valuable tool to develop new employees and a pipeline of talented workers to help businesses grow.
Would You Like a SOAR Student for Your Business?
The most important part of the SOAR experience is a good business partner with an excellent mentor for our students. The ideal mentor is someone who is willing to teach new skills, answer questions, and provide regular check ins and opportunities for students to experience new things.
If you are interested in hiring a Monroe High School student, please contact Cara Carper at caracarper@monroe.k12.wi.us or (608) 328-7573.
– Cara Carper is the Student Occupation & Academic Readiness (SOAR) Coordinator for the School District of Monroe.
