How to Find Vocational Opportunities
My son is entering into his Senior year at BHS. He doesn't enjoy school and has decided to work before he considers if he wants to go to college. Does anyone have recommendations for how to research vocational training programs in the East Bay? Even a counselor who can meet with him and identify opportunities and programs that he may be interested in? Thanks for any input.
Alice
Jun 22, 2016
Parent Replies
Laney College has an extensive and well-regarded vocational program. http://www.laney.edu/wp/cte/
The College Career Center at Berkeley High really is a career center. Last year they had presentations from programs that are career oriented. There were representatives from programs such as Rising Sun (6 months to learn to install solar panels) and the Bread Project (3 week commercial baking) both free as well as at least 20 others (some free, some not.)
Hi Alice,
For many of us, high school can kill any interest in academics, but community college has a lot of options even if academic goals are not of interest.
I was just such a teen - and I was helped because a school counselor let me know I could take community college classes during high school to earn school credit. What helped me was to learn that community college had a very different atmosphere than high school - plus I met people from all walks of life in my classes and I found them inspiring. Vocational options are also abundant. After graduation I attended community college and met high school students who were taking community college courses to get college credit early. This was such a huge boost for me and got me far more interested in academic options than I would have considered otherwise. Community College had a big impact on my life!
As a new teen librarian at Berkeley Public Library, I believe so strongly in the benefits of Community College that I am having Rebecca LaCocque from the Peralta Colleges coming to talk at Berkeley Public Library North Branch about What Community College Can Do For You. The event is Saturday, August 27th, 3pm. 1170 The Alameda, Berkeley. Free and open to adults and teens. She will talk about how middle school and high school students can attend Community College courses for free, how Community College can help you with your first two years of college, and also vocational options through community college.
If you have any questions about my experience or this event, feel free to email me at kmandalay [at] cityofberkeley.info