Sophomores throughout the school are applying to career academies that will give them more hands-on experience in their chosen career path. This gives students a better understanding of what it is like and whether they want to enter that profession after high school.
The academies are split between each of the high schools and you can choose which one you would prefer to attend even if it is not the school you normally go to. The academies are only half the day and there are certain types of classes that you must take in order to get the credit.
“I am hoping that this academy can help me see what I want in my future,” Pitcher said. “I also hope to gain experience and knowledge that could benefit me no matter what I decide to do in the end.”
Applications opened on Nov. 15, and it was a Google form where you had to fill out questions, get two teacher recommendations or write an essay on a certain topic. Once you submit your application, you could be eligible for an interview.
“I applied to the STEM academy because I’m good at math and I like science,” sophomore Sophia Pitcher said. “I was also considering going into this field so I hope that this academy helps me narrow down what I want to do in the future.”
Sophomores applying to one or multiple academies are waiting for their letters to arrive after winter break. Some academies like the one at the Henry Doorly Zoo only take six students in total.
“The reason why I wanted to apply to the zoo academy even though there aren’t many spots is because of the Zoology class I am taking this semester,” sophomore Kaitey Stephenson said. “It has introduced me to a huge love and fascination with animals.”
The process for applying for each academy is different for the Zoo Academy students who had to write essays about conservation efforts and why it is important. However, for the education academy, all that needed to be done was fill out the provided Google Form and attend an interview in which students got to choose the time and date from a list. “The process was a little lengthy with the requirement of two essays each from 300-500 words,” sophomore Ella Kisielewski said. “We also had to do an in-depth form of information like references, career interests, and basic information.”
While sophomores from all three Millard schools are applying, some of their chosen academies may put them in the halls of a new school. The education academy is at Millard West and Millard South high school and the zoo academy doesn’t take place at any of the schools so students need to ensure they can get transportation.
“I am not one hundred percent sure what exactly I want to do through this academy but being an engineer sounds like a viable option,” Pitcher said. “Out of all the academies offered to me I felt like this one resonated with me the most and that I could get the most out of it.”
Students will be mailed a letter by the first week of January if they were accepted into their chosen academy and if they happened to apply to more than one they will be able to make their final decisions and plan for next year’s classes.
