The 26th Annual Connections to the Future was held virtually for the first time. The student organized event highlighted Nogales and Rowland High School students in the Senior Seminar Course, the capstone that brings together the knowledge and skills students have learned throughout the Career Pathways Program.
At Rowland Unified, there are 13 Career Technical Education (CTE) Career Pathways representing 8 industry sectors offered to students seeking career training for their future. All CTE courses articulate with Mt. San Antonio and Rio Hondo Colleges, and many are UC/A-G Courses, which means they have been reviewed by the UC committee and deemed to have the rigor of a college preparatory course. To graduate, all Rowland USD students must take two courses, 20 elective credits, from the same CTE Career Pathway.
The Connections to the Future event allowed students to practice their networking and presentation skills in breakout rooms with more than 75 business and community members, parents and district staff at the event. Students prepared presentations in the following Career Pathways: Arts & Communications, Finance & Business, Engineering, Health & Medical, and Public and Human Services.
“This is my third year joining and it’s always a pleasure,” said Cynthia Sarosy from Schools First Federal Credit Union. “Rowland USD is the only District that I see doing this great work to prepare students for a future in the work place. The students conducted themselves very well.”
Rowland USD Board President Angelena Pride commented, “The students were professional and prepared. Things are different this year, they adapted and it went well. They still did a wonderful job, and it showed that they are still putting in the hard work.”
Rowland High School Public and Human Services student said, “Having the chance to converse with professionals in my career pathway was a rewarding experience and I learned a lot from the questions I asked. Also given the opportunity to practice my public speaking and presentation skills was important, as I was able to assess how I would perform in these situations.”
The students and staff appreciate all the participants for taking the time from their day and busy schedules to help us prepare our students to be the leaders of tomorrow.
If you are a business interested in getting involved with our students or want to enroll your student in the program, learn more by visiting our website https://careerpathways.rowlandschools.org/ or contact Vickie Burch at vburch@rowlandschools.org.