School to Career
Courtesy Photo
February 2, 2010 • Nicky Arja and Holly Meer
Filed under News
Grand Junction High School recently acquired Cathy Larsen, the new School-to-Career coordinator. Her job is to help students explore what career they wish to have.
“I help students, create presentations for classes and bring in people from the community to talk to kids about their careers,” Larsen said.
Larsen helps about 100 students who are searching to find what they want to be after graduation from high school and possibly college. According to Larsen, approximately 25 students are involved in internships.
Larsen stresses self-awareness for anyone to figure out what they want to be later in life.
“I encourage students to take three steps to help reach his/her career goals. First, figure out something that you love to do. Second, know your natural strengths and skills. Third, know what will drive your economic engine,” Larsen explained. “But with figuring out your economic engine, don’t become someone just for money, because then in a couple of years you will not be happy with what you are doing.”
Larsen enjoys helping students learn what many opportunities they have to be successful.
“You guys have so many opportunities, way more than we ever had,” Larsen said. Her advice to students who do not know what they want to be is to come and visit her. Larsen encourages students to take time to think about their passion in life.
An example Larsen used is to find something you are passionate about and work from that.
“If you love basketball but you know you won’t be a professional basketball player, find a job that relates to basketball, like being a trainer or coach,” Larsen said. “Everything starts with what you are passionate about.”
Loading ...