Independence Local Schools Superintendent Ben Hegedish believes it’s never too early to help students start preparing for what lies ahead. The school system’s career readiness initiatives are designed to do just that.
“One of our core values centers on launching our kids into their future,” the superintendent says. “We want to give them that competitive advantage of exposure, some immersion into the fields they’re interested in and the opportunity to interact with professionals in those fields.”
The journey begins in elementary school, where students discover careers and meet professionals in varying fields. During middle school, students begin assessing their strengths and participating in career days. High school students have field experiences, and many find internships. Before graduating, pupils participate in a senior capstone project to help them think about their next steps. It includes shadowing professionals.
During their junior and senior years, students have the option of taking classes at Brecksville’s Cuyahoga Valley Career Center. Hegedish applauds the course selection and time career specialist Amanda Jaronowski devotes to Independence students.
“The career center’s programming is outstanding, very robust and industry-specific,” he says. “Amanda works very closely with our principals and our counselors to help all of our kids have career readiness.”
Hegedish adds that there are instances in which students discover the career they’re leaning toward might not be a good fit.
“And that’s OK, too,” he says. “This is the time to discover that you don’t want to pursue a particular field before spending years after high school exploring it. Those are great victories as well.”
Meet two local students who have benefited from hands-on experience thanks to opportunities afforded to them through the school district:
Alexandra Adams
Alexandra Adams graduated from Independence High School (IHS) this year. She plans on attending Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, to major in mechanical engineering and pursue a career in aerospace. For her senior capstone project, Adams shadowed staff at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, as well as Interstate-McBee, which manufactures and recycles engine and fuel injection parts and components.
How did you become interested in mechanical engineering?
Ever since I was little, I’ve absolutely loved math and science and all that came with those subjects. Some of the parents of my fourth-grade classmates at Independence Primary School who were engineers started a before-school club called Build Your Own Technology (BYOT), and we would do little experiments and hands-on projects. I still have the keychain I made that has my name on it.
What captivates you about the field?
All engineers are problem solvers and critical thinkers. At the end of the day, I am, too. I’m fascinated with the concept of using math or science to fix something or just make things better and want to be part of that.
How did high school help you prepare for your course of study?
The rigorous math and science courses I took, including honors physics and AP calculus, prepared me the most for the classes I’ll be taking in college. The engineering camps I attended at the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center when I was in middle school focused on project-based learning. One of my favorites was a Styrofoam boat that ran on solar power.
Do you have any advice for students as they think about their futures?
Keep working at your studies
because all of the grades add up. And if there’s not a club centered on your interests, get a couple of friends and create it yourself.
Raina Makhlouf
Raina Makhlouf, also a member of the IHS Class of 2022, will be attending Indiana State University to major in pre-med. For her capstone project, she shadowed a physical therapist to gain an understanding of the profession.
How was the shadowing experience beneficial to your future?
I visited a physical therapist to learn about the profession during my sophomore year, and I loved it. And I still love it now. But when I shadowed as a senior, it made me think that this is not the job I want to do for the rest of my life. The shadowing experience opened up my mind. There are so many other careers I want to explore before I make my final decision.
Why is a career in medicine important to you?
Three years ago, my 12-year-old cousin was diagnosed with Moyamoya
disease, a rare blood vessel (vascular) disorder in which the carotid artery in the skull becomes blocked or narrowed, reducing blood flow to the brain. She had many strokes and spent a lot of time in the hospital. With the wonderful care she received, my cousin can now stand and run around. I want to make a difference in someone’s life like the health care professionals did for my cousin.
How did IHS prepare you for a career in the medical profession?
The science classes I took really helped me focus on the fact that the medical field is what I want to study.
Do you have any advice for students as they think about their futures?
Get involved. Everyone says that, but participate in activities outside of school and talk to as many
people as you can in the professions in which you’re interested.
