Engaging Students in the Workplace : Getting High Schools Students Prepared for Employment After Graduation

Across the United States, high school seniors are surveyed during their final year to determine their plans after graduations. Many Jeannette City School District students have three options: to enter the workforce, join the military, or continue on to post-secondary education. Based on these surveys about 25% of the students do not pursue a career or college. As a district, we would like to increase the opportunities for students to engage in employment within the community. By creating partnerships within the local community and providing more appropriate training, our students will be better prepared for employment. The researcher developed three questions to guide the capstone project in preparing the students to enter the workforce. This action research will use quantitative data for this project, such as interviews and rating scales. The researcher interviewed teachers and employers to determine if the students were adequately trained and prepared for future employment.