Workshop at Mount San Antonio College offers career advice

The workshop, co-sponsored by Mt. SAC Tech Prep and the Los Angeles County Office of Education's California Counselor Leadership Network, featured a moderator who discussed military recruitment and ethical practices, as well as a presentation about regional occupational programs, which offer vocational training for high school students.

A panel of representatives of agencies and organizations provided an overview of qualifications and took questions from the audience.

The career education and job-preparation panel included representatives of Americorps, California Conservation Corps, National Job Corps, Regional Occupational Program, U.S. Army Recruiting Command and Women at Work. 

The panel was asked about student eligibility, resources for teens, if they hire illegal immigrant students and more.

"Counselors are unique in a way -- like a broker that gives out information," said Bob Tyra, a counseling consultant for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. "So they have to have the best information for their students and their families, and options for their next step as they leave school."

With a lot of Tri-Cities students having very little or no income, some of the programs presented were better suited for them, Pruett said.

"Some can't afford the cost of an ROP class," she said. "What I found most informational was in the military recruitment panel that through the GI Bill students can get their education paid for and the job training they need." 

Pruett added that the nonprofit job and career resource center Women at Work will help provide the women she advises with different resources.

"I can now send women to them to receive the emotional support they need as they go through their career journey," she said.

Given the state of the economy and the way economy is impacting education, people are looking for careers that provide resources so they can get into the work force and find employment, said Marie Tyra, the project director for Mt. SAC Tech Prep Grant.

"Today was about providing alternatives for students who do not gravitate to a traditional school setting," she said. "These resources help counselors provide their students training or support options so they can work toward a career."