With the help of work-based learning capstones and internships, high school seniors are preparing to take their next steps after graduation. Yes, classroom theory is important and so are employability skills, but becoming a well-rounded individual who is attentive, always problem solving, dependable and consistent are also valuable lessons for students to learn.
At Corydon Central High School, Senior Ava Gerdon is in the Health Sciences Pathway and is on track to fulfill her dream of becoming a travel nurse. Through her pathway Ava has learned vital clinical skills such as drawing blood, CPR, patient transfer, taking vitals and starting IVs. But it’s the hands-on clinical hours through the CCR program that have made the biggest impact - nudging her ahead of her peers in college and having clear expectations of what it’s like to be a nurse.
Students in all pathways have opportunities to take their learning beyond the classroom. Chuck Rowan, another senior at Corydon Central is part of the Business Administration Pathway. He has gained a strong foundation in business operations, financial calculations, and recordkeeping. Through his studies and CCR internship Chuck has also learned to embrace the unknown of every task - approaching the problem with precision, logic, and confidence.
Over at South Central Jr.-Sr. High School seniors are also gaining practical skills through Work-Based Learning.
Grayson Day, an Agriculture Pathway student, is currently completing a capstone Internship at Simpson Farms. His internship provides more than just job experience - it offers a glimpse into real life as a full-time farmer. Grayson has learned what it means to be dependable and how to work as part of a team. These experiences foster responsibility and discipline - skills that go far beyond the classroom.
Over at Hauswald Farms, Colton Smith is also participating in a Capstone Internship. Here he gets to apply what he has learned in the classroom to daily life on a farm. Colton has developed more than technical knowledge this school year, learning flexibility as the seasons shift and perseverance through hard physical work.
The internships and work-based learning capstones the CCR Center offers is more than a stepping stone to a career - it’s a launching pad for life. By giving students the chance to apply their learning in meaningful ways, it equips them not just for the job they want, but helps them envision the life they want to build. To learn more about our College and Career Readiness Center, visit our website here.