The Brooklyn City Schools is proud to announce the launch of the Brooklyn Career Connections Academy (BCCA) for qualifying seniors. The BCCA is designed to help students develop their post-secondary goals and help them achieve their career aspirations through real-world work experiences and academic development.
Supriya Culliton, Coordinator of Student Support Programs, oversees the career connections component of the program which provides work-based learning opportunities. “We are proud to launch the Brooklyn Career Connections Academy for the second semester,” states Mrs. Culliton. “The goal of this program is to help students develop their post-secondary plans and assist them in making those goals a reality. Students will be provided with opportunities to complete a 12-point credentialing, earn the Ohio Means Jobs Readiness Seal, and complete all graduation requirements. In addition, the district will partner with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and local agencies to connect students with real-life internship or shadowing experiences based on their career interests.”
The academic development component of the BCCA is overseen by Matthew Larson, Brooklyn High School Assistant Principal. To ensure that students possess a broad range of work skills necessary for success after graduation, students will complete the National Retail Federation’s Rise Up program, and earn the Ohio Means Jobs Readiness Seal by demonstrating proficiency in fourteen specific professional skill sets, such as critical thinking/problem solving, oral and written communications, teamwork/collaboration, and global/intercultural fluency. Students will also earn a 12-point credentialing in the basics of Customer Service.
"Every single one of our graduating seniors has goals for what they want to accomplish in their lives after high school,” shared Mr. Larson. “The BCCA is designed to assist our students in earning their diplomas and developing clear pathways to reaching post-secondary success. Our academy students will leave our program with a fully developed career portfolio, and the foundational knowledge needed to establish and grow their professional network through real work experiences."
Brooklyn High School seniors enrolled in the BCCA have already attended a career exploration fair on the Tri-C Metro Campus and will be pursuing individual work experiences in the coming months. The BCCA reflects the district’s commitment to providing academic options for all students through innovative programming that provides pathways to successful futures.
