Willow Glen Resident
Education
University for Youth program helps students consider careers
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
Forget career fairs. Willow Glen resident Judy Kaiser has something that will get students doing more than just thinking about what they want to go with their lives.
"Most kids really don't understand what they should be," Kaiser says. "They listen to what their parents or guidance counselors think they should be."
To help the decisionmaking process along, University for Youth, an after-school program for local middle and high schools, was started at San José State University by Kaiser, its director, Mark Novack, dean of extended studies and Carmen Sizler, university provost.
The program is designed to help students discover a career that will be realistic and appropriate for their future, and encourage students to look at San José State University as a college choice.
The pilot program will involve both the Campbell Unified School District and the San Jose Unified School District.
At Willow Glen High School, two classes are offered--"Finding Your Inner Artist" and "The Zen of Writing College Applications."
"We chose Willow Glen High School because it is unique in that the middle and high schools are next door to each other," Kaiser says. "This way, the middle school kids can use the high school kids as mentors."
Kaiser says that by seeing the older students participate in this program, the middle school students will be encouraged to attend the classes. There aren't age limits for most classes unless specified by the instructors.
Willow Glen High School Principal Elaine Farace thinks the program has potential and the ability to provide another form of enrichment.
"I think the university feels that there is a need, especially at the high school level, for these types of after-school programs," Farace says. "It's a wonderful kind of outreach that provides not just the content of the course but a safe place with an organized learning environment for the students."
Where the program goes will depend on the input Kaiser receives from students and teachers.
Kaiser has already heard from Farace that boys are interested in auto shop classes. The program would approach this kind of request by offering a general class, such as "How to buy and care for your first car."
The idea behind the classes, however, is to expose students to a broad range of possibilities even in their areas of interest.
A student who might be interested initially in auto mechanic work would be exposed to the design, engineering and graphic arts elements involved in auto technology.
"These courses are not academic," Kaiser says. "There are no grades. These are hands-on, experimental classes."
For more information on the program, visit www.youth.sjsu.edu.
