For most students, looking ahead is stressful.
Especially when the pressure of senior year sets in and post-secondary education is looming. Mrs. Wollin, a representative from Northeastern Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship with an office at the end of the DPHS library and student services hallway, is willing to help students find direction with the complex network of decisions and paths. There are resources available to decide and explain options post-graduation.
On Nov. 11, the De Pere Area Chamber hosts its annual “Beyond the Classroom” event from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This is for students seeking more information about life beyond high school, whether it’s a college degree or a job in the trades.
Offering seminars that explore career experience, there will be professionals to network with and make connections within occupational fields.
¨This is a big event with multiple business leaders present to help with questions and overviews on each career,” Mrs. Wollin said. “The thing is, we want students to get into the community and branch out into career choices they see. A big part of this is that we want more students to be aware of trades and youth apprenticeships, which have had a reputation as a lacking, desperate option compared to universities. These programs offer benefits and teaching that will significantly help kids move forward in life.”
This event will be held at Pilotsmith, which on Google Maps shows as a pilot hangar. We asked Mrs. Wollin why this event was here, and we got an interesting response.
“Pilotsmith is an airplane hangar along with a pilot school,” said Mrs. Wollin. “The owner, Trent Vandenheuvel, appreciates students’ education events and would like to see more networking and opportunities available in the community. One interesting thing is that he says there is a major pilot shortage across Wisconsin and the greater Midwest, so his school is another option for kids who want to become pilots.”
For seniors seeking scholarships, attending this event can be highly beneficial. Seniors are eligible to win up to $3,000 for participating.
“Last year, we decided to hold these beyond-the-classroom events, aiming to have one every month or two,” said Mrs. Wollin. “We had two: a career exploration event at the Swan Club and a networking and resume workshop at the De Pere High Community Center. The career exploration event was well attended, and the other one was as well, since it was in the springtime. We narrowed our goals and decided to hold a fall event and a spring event.”
