The Center of Workforce Innovations is seeking qualified individuals who can serve as advisors for the AmeriCorps Career Advisor initiative. Going into its second year, this seven-county initiative will provide Northwest Indiana high school students in the 2011-2012 school year, with career information and will assist them with their decision-making process and planning when it comes to their future following graduation. Our partners for this program include United Way of Porter County and AmeriCorps.
Career Advisors will serve alongside teachers and counselors to help youth and their families prepare for college, the prospect of high wage/high demand careers, and lifelong learning. In addition, they will mobilize businesses and community organizations to act as partners and mentors throughout the school year and perhaps beyond.
The ideal candidate for a Career Advisor position will be someone who can leverage his or her knowledge and experiences to improve career exploration experiences and opportunities for students. They may be recently retired professionals or semi-professionals. College graduates and soon-to-be graduates can also consider this opportunity to gain experience, so they are also urged to inquire. Individuals from the skilled trades who want to give back to their communities and have an interest in assisting youth in career development also should consider this opportunity.
Career Advisors will be trained in career advising, mentoring, internship development, and job shadowing. They will be equipped to assist students achieve their career goals, which might include post-secondary education, apprenticeship and training programs, military careers, or school-to-work options.
School systems currently committed to the AmeriCorps initiative are Calumet (Gary), Highland, Merrillville; Portage, South Central in Union Mills, and Westville High School in La Porte County.
Interested individuals are urged to contact Kitty Meyer at the Center of Workforce Innovations at 219-462-2940, ext. 44.