The Career Education Program is a coordinated system of programs, activities, and learning experiences that connect school and work. The program provides opportunities for ALL students to choose career-related coursework and workplace experiences that will advance them from school to post-secondary placement.

Students are more likely to succeed when they see a purpose to their studies. By linking academic lessons to real-world activities and situations, the Career Education Program helps to improve student motivation and academic performance, and prepares students to choose careers they are interested in.

The main components of the Grand Forks Career Education Program are:

• Career Awareness through the elementary social studies program
• Junior Achievement at the elementary level
• Systematic, institutionalized  Career Curriculum for Grades 6 - 12
• Volunteer opportunities through the summer Helping Hands program for ages 12 and older
• Student Education Career Planning conferences with their counselor for students and their parents in Grades 7, 9, 10, and 12
• Job Shadowing opportunity for all students in Grades 9 - 12
• Internship opportunities for qualified juniors and seniors sponsored by our business partners as the job market allows.
• Individual help in fully staffed Career Centers in the high schools 

Career Education Program Divisions

Work-based Learning
By partnering with community business and industry the Career Education Program transforms the workplace into active learning sites for students. Eligible students are also able to experience the work site environment first-hand through extended job shadowing experiences, paid internships and apprenticeships. This experience allows the students to acquire the skills necessary for a successful career and formulate goals and plan for their future. Several area businesses participate in and or provide instruction for several high school courses.

Connecting Activities
By connecting students' school and work activities, the functional link between business and industry partners, educators, and community organizations is established. The Career Education Program builds strong partnerships with business and industry that connect school and the workplace. Professionals from the business community are encouraged to share their expertise with students in a classroom setting, career fairs, field trips, or by job shadowing for a day or partial day. These same business partners have also opened their doors to teachers providing an opportunity for them to increase their knowledge of business and industry in their particular field.