Domino Effect Learning Competitions
Service learning is just one example of Competitions such as LifeSmarts (www.
how an extended learning experience can lifesmarts.org), sponsored by the National
provide opportunities for other learning. Consumers League, help students develop their
Job shadowing, where students follow a skills and knowledge in specific career areas.
cReATe a career
professional through a day at work to learn Online competitions in consumer education
PoRTfolIo
what the job is like, can lead to mentoring lead to in-person competitions by teams of
relationships in which the professional can students at the state and national levels.
One valuable tool that can help you get
advise the student with career development. “LifeSmarts helps students realize the
ready for college and beyond is a career
Job shadowing is an organized part of the relevance and importance of the human
portfolio—a collection of items that
preparation for cosmetology careers at Denton services curriculum,” says Rulene Berry, a
document your achievements both in
High School. “After the students finish their teacher at Stephenville High School.
and out of school, assembled in one
cosmetology credit hours and before they “My philosophy is that teaching is not
convenient package.
take the state board exam, they are sent out telling,” Berry adds. “Research confirms that
A career portfolio is not simply
to job shadow,” says instructor Brenda Buster. more learning takes place when students have
a resume, although it can certainly
“It gives students an understanding of the the opportunity to apply what they
include one. So what should go in a
real world.” are learning.”
career portfolio? A variety of things,
depending on your own personal
experiences. It could include transcripts
S P o T L I G H T
and grades; writing samples; letters
of recommendation from teachers,
mentors, or employers; awards you’ve
received; and items that document
At YouR SERvICE
other activities, such as internships and
FCCLA and SkillsUSA Lead Students to Human Services Careers
job shadowing experiences.
“You need to be specific—dates, how
many years, any awards, what they
T
he career and technical student organizations
meant, and who you received them
family, career and community leaders of
from,” says Grace Brauchle, who helps
america (fccla) and skillsusa recognize and
students put their portfolios together
reward students for their service to others.
as the career center coordinator for
vanessa sosa of mcallen memorial High
Lehman High School in Kyle.
school is one of those students. competing
Brauchle says portfolios come in
in fccla’s sTar (students Taking action with
handy when students apply for jobs or
recognition) events, sosa placed among the top
admission to college. “First impressions
six in her category, focus on children, at a regional
are a very big thing,” she says, “and
fccla meeting in corpus christi, then advanced
you want to be the one whose papers
to competitions in fort worth, where she placed
get passed around the office. You want
first in the state.
to be the one where the admissions
at fccla’s national meeting In July 2006, in In the cosmetology event, students working
counselors say, ‘Wow, look at this one!’”
nashville, Tennessee, sosa’s project on “reading with mannequins demonstrate skills in
And a portfolio doesn’t have to be
literacy—making a difference” so impressed the haircutting, hair styling, and long-hair design.
simply a collection of papers. Artists
judges that she was awarded a gold medal. nail care competitors perform common nail
and photographers use their portfolios
similar competitions at skillsusa regional, services such as acrylic application, tip and
to provide visual examples of their
state, and national conferences give students wrap application, and nail polish application. a
work, and so can you. Do you have
the opportunity to be recognized for their skills in written exam tests basic knowledge of sanitation,
photos of someone giving you an
cosmetology and make connections that can chemical safety, and salon procedures.
award? Put them in. How about a video
lead to scholarship or even full-time jobs. at the april 2006 state conference in fort
of a performance? Include it on a DVD.
about 16,000 Texas students belong to worth, Heather Hicks of lakeview High school in
Do you have experience in Web design?
skillsusa. organization members compete in san angelo won the cosmetology event and aliss
Make an online portfolio to showcase
more that 75 different events in a variety of skills, guerrero of grand prairie High school won the
what you can do.
including events in cosmetology and nail care. nail care event.
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