Here's a news release from Genesee Community College.
Students in local high schools are discovering their desired career path a few years earlier thanks to the career academies offered jointly through Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, College Tech Prep, and Genesee Community College.
Part of Genesee Community College's Accelerated College Enrollment program (ACE), the three academies are Health Careers Academy, Information Technology Academy and Legal Careers Academy.
They are offered to academically outstanding high school students during their senior year to enhance the transition to the next level of professional development, and give a sense of closure to high school education. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, April 1.
To qualify for the academies, students must have an 80 or above average, have the required prerequisite courses and submit two letters of recommendation, as well as a letter of intent.
More than 20 schools in Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming counties and numerous local businesses are involved in the academies. The program allows students to earn college credit at a fraction of the cost and to experience careers firsthand through onsite job shadows and internships at a variety of facilities throughout Western New York.
The Health Careers Academy allows students to plan and develop an individualized health career and educational sequence, as well as explore colleges offering these career programs.
They enroll in college classes available at Genesee and receive 15 credits upon successful completion of the following courses: Cell Biology; Responding to Emergencies; Health Career Planning; General Psychology; and Introduction to Healthful Living. Students also become CPR, first aid and AED Certified. The Health Careers Academy is offered through the Batavia and Mt. Morris BOCES locations.
The College Tech Prep Legal Careers Academy is an innovative course of study for students interested in pursuing one of the many technical or professional Legal related careers. The Legal Careers Academy allows students to become aware of current and emerging opportunities in the Legal Career cluster, while earning 15 college credits.
The skills and professionalism required in the Legal profession become understood through this academy. Legal Careers Academy students combine secondary education with collegiate education to achieve their goal of successful employment.
Students should have exemplary attendance, demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing, and possess the responsibility required to work independently and in teams. Fifteen college credits will be earned through the following courses: Introduction to Legal Studies; Introduction to Criminal Justice; Career and Educational Planning; General Psychology; and Introduction to Sociology.
The newest joint venture between Genesee Community College and Genesee Valley Educational Partnership is the Information Technology Career Academy, which opened in September 2007. Information Technology Careers Academy is a one-year program for highly motivated high school seniors interested in exploring the world of information technology as a career choice.
The college course work combined with the hands-on activities will allow students to gain valuable insight into the IT industry while earning 17 college credits before graduating from high school. The college credit bearing courses include: Microcomputer Applications; Programming and Problem Solving; Networking Technologies; Computer Repair; and Career and Educational Planning.
"The College Tech Prep Academies are an excellent way for high schools seniors to meet new people who are interested in a similar career field, figure out what they do or don't want to do for a career while they are still in high school and it doesn't cost them thousands of dollars," said Deborah Dunlevy, Genesee's College Tech Prep Project director. "Nearly all of the College Tech Prep students go on to postsecondary education and find they are ahead of many of their college peers."
Interested students can download the information packet and application for each academy by visiting www.genesee.edu/ACE/techprep <http://www.genesee.edu/ACE/techprep>.
All applications are due to Genesee Valley Educational Partnership by Friday, April 1 and must include a letter of intent, letters of recommendation, high school transcript and junior report cards. Students should contact their high school counselor as soon as possible for scheduling.
For further information please contact Deborah Dunlevy at 343-0055, ext. 6316 or <http://dkdunlevy@genesee.edu>; or Catherine Bennett, Genesee Valley Educational Partnership Student Services Coordinator, at 344-7711 or <http://cbennett2@gvboces.org>.
