As part of the college and career readiness initiative, 5th grade students at Villa Rica Elementary have had the opportunity to engage in interactive career-centered lessons, as well as participate in career exploration activities during the past year. Activities including visiting the University of West Georgia, taking career interest inventories and aptitude assessments, and researching various occupations in preparation for their capstone career research projects and presentations. Upon concluding the research and exploration phases of their projects, students then decided on a chosen career and prepared a typed report and powerpoint presentation. On Friday, April 25th students dressed in professional attire and presented their career of choice to students in grades Kindergarten—4th, affording all students with an enriching opportunity to learn more about the world of work and connections to continuing education.

In addition to classroom guidance lessons, exploration activities, and career presentations for all students, 3rd grade students visited West Georgia Technical College in Carrollton and 4thgraders visited Carroll County School’s College and Career Academy.

Counselor Carly Byers says of VRE’s college and career initiative, “We look for opportunities in everyday instruction to spark career curiosity among our students and help them make meaningful connections between their current role as learner and future role as worker. All 5th grade students prepare their career research projects in Google Drive using their CCS account, making these typed reports and presentations the first two official artifacts in their personal career portfolios. Thanks to the excellent work of our teachers, we are helping students take those beginning steps towards their career paths.”