Career Pathways Program
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: February 15, 2013
For students like Avery Jackson, the Career Pathways Program offers him an opportunity of a lifetime.
"Maybe I can make a difference. Maybe I'm one more body to actually solve a crime, not to make a crime, but to solve a crime," said Jackson.
The program partners city government with the city school district. First responders teach the students.
"We do hands on activities. We do some bookwork. We study laws," said Neriah Santiago.
Students who aspire to be a police officer, firefighter, EMT or 911 responder have the opportunity to get a jump start on their career.
"We give them knowledge of the career, we give them skills to be able to function in their career and we give them abilities to understand the hiring process," said Robert Poles, Coordinator of Career Pathways to Public Safety Program.
Becoming a first responder is something these students take pride in. The recent Webster tragedy showed them why their role in society is so important. This semester, an EMT, who responded to the Lake Road shooting, spoke to the students.
"With that tragedy, what it did, it gave us an opportunity to talk to the students about how we all work together. It really has impacted them and their passion to be a part of this program," said Poles.
"It's about helping people and protecting people and with today's recent conflicts, people need someone that they can know that is there for them. I want kids to look at me and say okay he's here. They are going to help us," said Chris Santiago.
Starting in March, the Career Pathways Program will hold a recruiting campaign for the 2013-2014 school year.
"Maybe I can make a difference. Maybe I'm one more body to actually solve a crime, not to make a crime, but to solve a crime," said Jackson.
The program partners city government with the city school district. First responders teach the students.
"We do hands on activities. We do some bookwork. We study laws," said Neriah Santiago.
Students who aspire to be a police officer, firefighter, EMT or 911 responder have the opportunity to get a jump start on their career.
"We give them knowledge of the career, we give them skills to be able to function in their career and we give them abilities to understand the hiring process," said Robert Poles, Coordinator of Career Pathways to Public Safety Program.
Becoming a first responder is something these students take pride in. The recent Webster tragedy showed them why their role in society is so important. This semester, an EMT, who responded to the Lake Road shooting, spoke to the students.
"With that tragedy, what it did, it gave us an opportunity to talk to the students about how we all work together. It really has impacted them and their passion to be a part of this program," said Poles.
"It's about helping people and protecting people and with today's recent conflicts, people need someone that they can know that is there for them. I want kids to look at me and say okay he's here. They are going to help us," said Chris Santiago.
Starting in March, the Career Pathways Program will hold a recruiting campaign for the 2013-2014 school year.
