Career counselor Lisa Mark, MA, will be offering two free seminars at the Main Branch of the Maplewood Library about teens and the choices they make leading to their career paths.
The first session, offered from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, November 2, is geared toward teens and is titled “Are You A High School Student Wondering About Your Future?” Participants can get the low-down on how to go from classes to a career path by:
- Discussing interests and getting help linking to a future career
- Discovering trending industries, new occupations & career paths
- Learning about in-demand occupations without a 4-year degree
- Exploring Gap Years, internships and apprenticeship programs
The second seminar, to be offered 7-9 p.m. on November 5 at the library is geared toward parents and is titled “Does Your Teen Have a Plan?” Mark will discuss how teens’ plans may change between now and Graduation Day and how that is “okay,” but also will discuss if a teen is apathetic about their grades and learning, or is not excited about going to college, and how to help with:
- Getting workable advice for keeping your teen academically motivated
- Exploring The Gap Year and how to plan for it
- Discussing training programs & jobs for non-college bound grads
Lisa Mark, MA has had a long-standing interest in jobs and career development. She has successfully shifted her own direction fit her interest in Recruiting and her needs to balance her own work and family life. Her passion to help others remained the same an in 1996, she founded FlexTime Solutions, an interim staffing firm and they provided hundreds of consulting jobs for unemployed professionals effected by mass corporate layoffs in the 1990s.
Mark and her partner were building their business as their children grew. Lisa supported her sons in exploring their interests and talents both in and outside of the classroom. During college visits Mark noticed many students who seemed to be disinterested in the college search process. Then something shocking occurred. As her son was enthusiastically working on engineering projects and solving math problems in college, a number of his friends and acquaintances began dropping out of college. She learned that of the 90% of CHS graduates attending 4 yr colleges, less than 50% were graduating within 6 years. According to DOE statistics, the national rate of public college drop-outs was 53%.
Today’s dropout rate is 59% for public universities and 39% for private colleges. The un- employment rate for college graduates is 25%. “Career exploration programs and information about employment trends, certificate programs, and gap years need to be taught at all high school,” said Mark. “Sadly, it doesn’t seem to be on anyone’s job description at the high school level or at most four year colleges.”
Mark is passionate about helping HS and college students find a career direction so they can make informed decisions and plan for successful futures. She offers free workshops and seminars to Maplewood/South Orange students and their parents at the Memorial and Hilton Libraries Maplewood.
No signup required.
www.yourcareerdirectionllc.com
Maplewood Memorial Library, 51 Baker St.
973-762-1622 www.maplewoodlibrary.org
