Web site aims to prevent dropouts, steer kids to
careers
Coaches needed for Futures for Kids organization
By SARAH NEWELL
Record Staff Writer
Thursday, June 14, 2007 |
 |
HICKORY - Some students may not have any interest in
reading, science or math class. But give them the
opportunity to ask questions about being a NASCAR
mechanic, developing computer software or being a
cosmetologist, and their interest is sparked.
“I have kids in my class that are the future dropouts.
They don’t pay attention to anything that you teach
them. But if you let them get on to the Futures for Kids
Web site and get to actually ask some of these people
about being a mechanic and what they want to know, their
faces just light up,” said Leslie Farris, the career
explorations teacher at Jacobs Fork Middle School.
Farris is talking about a Web site designed by Futures
for Kids, an organization that started in Catawba County
four years ago and has spread throughout the state.
Business leaders sign up to be career coaches on the Web
site. The leaders can correspond with students anywhere
in the state who have questions about their profession.
The questions and ensuing dialogue is posted on the Web
for other students to read.
“This Web-based program is designed to give kids
relevance for why they are in school and taking classes.
Kids take a 39-question career quiz to help give them a
starting point for a few careers they might be
interested in,” said Susan Milliken, director of Futures
for Kids. “The top careers kids want to be in today are
models, video game creators, cosmetologists, lawyers and
plastic surgeons. We need people in our community to
help steer these kids to careers.”
The program is geared toward eighth-graders, with many
students continuing to use the program as they move into
high school. Currently, 4,700 students in Catawba County
use the program. To learn more about the program or to
be a career coach, go to
www.f4k.org.
snewell@hickoryrecord.com | 322-4510 x 5408 or
304-6915
