Career Explorations On Tape, Perfect For Classroom

Joe Dababneh, a 1996 graduate of Colerain High School's machine trades program, was a co-op at Automax, producer of industrial valve controls and joined the company upon graduation. Starting in the fall of 1998, Joe will attend UC to study mechanical engineering. He says math is the most-used skill for his job. "I use trigonometry to find the radius of bolt-hold patterns to program the machine that builds mounting kits," he said. Photo by Jo Kovach

The videotapes are a product of ENTER HERE, L.L.C. of Evanston, Ill.

Sets were recently distributed to 67 public and parochial high schools in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky as a project of Leadership Cincinnati's Labor Force Development Project Team.

ENTER HERE is organized into ten career clusters: Government and Public Administration; Personal, Family and Community Services; Wholesale and Retail Trade; Transportation and Public Utilities; Communications, Entertainment, and the Arts; Food and Hospitality; Manufacturing Technology and Construction; Business and Financial Operations Support; Health and Biomedical Services; and Agribusiness, Forestry, Wildlife and Mining.

In addition to young workers talking about their jobs, celebrity spokespersons add their personal stories: Muggsy Bogues, NBA point-guard; Bonnie Blair, five-time Olympic gold medalist in speedskating; and Boomer Esiason, NFL quarterback, to name a few.

The videos, each ten minutes in length, are supported by student and teacher guides that relate curriculum to the skills required in various careers. Many of the careers featured in the videos do not require four-year college degrees, although for some, post-high school training or education is often needed.

The videotapes emphasize that entry-level jobs are a first step in a longer-term career path.

The videotapes were designed to: get students to focus on life after high school; link school subjects and workplace skills; expose students to a broad array of career opportunities; help students make meaningful, informed choices; and teach life skills. Call 847.866.9637 for more information.