A new program is being put into place at Minnewaska Area Schools that will give students an opportunity to experience and explore career paths before they go on to further their education or join the workforce. 

The Career Pathways Program offers students experience in three main areas including Health Sciences and Human Services (HSHS), Agriculture, Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology (AEMT), and Business Communications and Entrepreneurship (BCE). 

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry awarded a grant to MAS to develop and expand programs to offer meaningful career exposure and paid work experience for students ages 16 and older. The Youth Skills Training program grant provided $100,000 for the school to develop the Minnewaska Career Pathways program. 

Each pathway consists of several classes that pertain to the particular pathway. Students complete the pathway when they’ve completed eight courses with a “C” or higher, complete a senior capstone project and complete an approved work experience. Upon completion, students earn a certificate and will have a cord worn at graduation that corresponds to their chosen pathway.

The AEMT pathway nurtures a new generation of skilled innovators in agriculture, engineering, manufacturing and technology. Some of the academic courses included in the pathway are Welding, Robotics, Intro to Ag, Drones, Ag Processing, Plant Science, Construction, Woods, Home and Car Maintenance and Landscape Design.

The BCE pathway empowers high school students through innovative business education, fostering a passion for entrepreneurship and cultivating essential skills for successful careers it was stated. Courses offered in this pathway include Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Digital Art, Photography, Marketing, Foods, Painting, Band, Choir and Spanish.

The HSHS pathway will put high school students on a pathway to become compassionate, skilled professionals, fostering a commitment to holistic well-being. Courses in this pathway include Anatomy & Physiology, Physics, Medical Terminology, American Government, Certified Nursing Assistant class, Child Development, Sociology and college level biology, chemistry and psychology.

“By implementing this, we’re giving students the opportunity to experience different careers before they head to college. A student could go to college to become a nurse and not see a patient for two years until they realize they faint at the sight of blood,” stated Superintendent Rankin. 

The purpose of the meeting was to stir up interest with area businesses to offer some of the students positions within their career pathways. “I don’t know an employer in our region that is not looking for really talented individuals,” Rankin added. 

Information is available through the district office for businesses that would like to be part of the Minnewaska Career Pathways program.