Career Action Plans - Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School

Workforce, College, and Military Check Boxes

Put Your Career Plan into Action

As part of post-secondary planning, our Career Enrichment teachers work with students to develop Career Action Plans tailored to fit their professional goals. A Career Action Plan is more than a document; it's an important portfolio piece that helps put our students' career plans into motion. It requires them to research and create step-by-step tasks, which keep them focused as they check items off the list. This thought-provoking process is meant to inspire purposeful decision-making and resourcefulness in developing a custom-made plan for their future professional life.

FRESHMEN & SOPHOMORES – BUILDING A FOUNDATION

Career development starts early for our students. Just like our upperclassmen, freshmen and sophomores receive dynamic training in their Career Enrichment classes, designed to spark curiosity and build confidence for life after high school. These experiences help them develop the knowledge, skills, and insights needed to explore college, workforce, and military options, setting the stage for success in junior year.

A big focus for freshmen is reflecting on exploratory experiences and navigating shop placement. Hands-on exposure to seven different fields gives them invaluable insight into their interests and strengths, helping shape their long-term goals. Through the Career Enrichment curriculum, students analyze these experiences and thoughtfully consider which vocational programs fit their professional ambitions.

Sophomores take the next step by learning management and entrepreneurship concepts that foster leadership skills and provide a glimpse into future business opportunities. They also begin building their resumes. This early preparation ensures students enter junior year equipped with the skills and confidence to succeed in co-op placements and beyond.

JUNIORS – CHARTING A COURSE

During the first half of junior year, students work through comprehensive lessons revolving around self-discovery and career planning. These lessons cover personal aptitudes, industry-recognized credentials, and post-secondary career pathways, including college, military service, and workforce opportunities.

In December, students begin formally developing their Career Action Plan by crafting a vision statement reflecting their career goal. From there, they create a chart outlining all the industry-recognized credentials required for their chosen field. Each credential includes a description, along with details on cost and time commitments based on their in-depth research. This project empowers our students to take charge of their future, giving them the confidence and know-how to pursue any path they choose.

Mark Your Calendar

College Application Process Lesson – Tuesday, November 4th
Junior Parents: College Application Process Workshop – Wednesday, November 5th, 5:30 p.m.
Career Action Plan – December - May

SENIORS – PERSONALIZING A PATHWAY

In their senior year, students finalize their Career Action Plans by developing a “Personal Pathway.” This custom narrative outlines the specific steps they plan to take to earn each required credential. It includes timelines, strategies to overcome potential challenges, and the resources they will need along the way. By mapping out these actionable steps, students create a clear roadmap that connects their current efforts to their long-term career goals.

Mark Your Calendar

Career Action Plan – September - April
College Application Process Workshop – Monday, September 8th
Financial Aid Lesson – Monday, September 22nd
FAFSA Opens – Wednesday, October 1st
Early College Application Deadlines Begin – Wednesday, October 1st
MEFA College Financing Seminar at 5:30 p.m. – Tuesday, October 21st

What's Your Game Plan?
This question is on the minds of many parents as their teens start planning for a career.

Workforce: Your teen can start their careers early by entering the workforce and furthering their vocational-technical training in apprenticeship programs.
College: Many of our vocational-technical programs have multi-levels of training, which require your teen to have additional education and study in a two- or four-year college or technical program.
Military: Learning the difference between a commissioned officer and an enlisted service member is just the starting point to fully understanding the many career advancements within all branches of the U.S. Military.

Download our Career Planning Checklist. It will help you and your teen think about and discuss where they want to go with their career and how they might get there. Also check out our MaindScape blog post entitled "What's Your Game Plan." It will also encourage your teen to think about the bigger picture of career planning.

MEFA'S VIRTUAL EVENT CALENDAR
From choosing a career to financial aid and college admissions, MEFA's free webinars and online community events will help guide you through the career planning process. Browse their calendar of events.