Sandra MacLachlan Transition Coordinator

COOL Week

    COOL Week is a week-long, work-based experience for all 12th graders. Students must apply to participate.

Students are matched to work sites by career preference.

Students are assigned to work sites in teams of 2-3.

 Students will experience:       Job application process/resume critique Interview and critique Teamwork and problem solving Job shadowing Formal business presentation Interaction with adults in career field of interest

Goals

  Students will see how what they are learning in school is used in the work place.

Students apply skills, such as teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, and communication through the week’s activities.

Goals

  Students will learn how specific occupations are performed and become aware of the aptitudes, education, and training needed to be successful in those occupations.

Students will be able to make better informed career decisions based on actual work experience.

Sample Business Projects  Software/Technology   Fusion Learning Systems  Design and implement software for training module.

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

 Create/update website for Core Comp group.

Sample Business Projects  Customer Service   Five Star Interiors  Installation and development of new show room.

Newsstand.com

 Develop plan to improve training program for new call center customer service representatives.

Sample Business Projects  Marketing/Communication   Capital Area Training Foundation  Assist in planning Career Fair (a major event), including marketing aspects.

Leander Police Department  Survey/study community needs/programs. Develop implementation plan.

Sample Business Projects  Marketing/Communications (cont.)   Hill Country News  Coverage of COOL Week for special issue.

Emmis Radio Group  Give input on development of marketing plan to teenage listeners.

Sample Business Projects  Education – COOL School Teacher Observations, student interaction/observation, Lesson plan development  Lago Vista Elementary  Texas School for the Deaf  Grisham Middle School

Student Preparation Activities       Completion of coursework related to work site experience Preparation of resume’ Interview practice Instruction & practice with basic tools in problem-solving process Instruction in presentation skills Familiarization with site expectations

Interested?

Step 1 is to complete the application – Ms. MacLachlan, Transition Coordinator, will provide these to seniors

To see a 9 minute QuickTime movie of the COOL Week experience created by the students in CPHS Multimedia class, go to the LHS COOL Week website under Information for Business Partners

Then what?

Step 2 is to turn in the application to Ms. MacLachlan in the Guidance Office Please note that incomplete applications will not be processed.

Applications are time and date-stamped as they are received. If there are more students interested in a particular position than are available, the applications will be processed on a “first come; first served” basis.

And?

Watch for signs and listen for announcements.

Ms. MacLachlan will call you in to discuss your COOL Week assignment.

But…..

Once you have turned in the application, and find you are NOT able to participate, you must let Ms. MacLachlan know immediately!

The companies have been planning for your arrival. They need to know you are not coming!

And….

If you come across an employer that you believe would enjoy this experience, let Ms. MacLachlan know that, too!

It doesn’t have to be a company where YOU want to go; someone else will be thrilled by the opportunity of a new contact!

College is an expensive place to find out what you want to be when you grow up. “Try on” a job with COOL Week!