Innovative College and Career Readiness in Appalachia

By Dr. Rebecca Roach, Associate Director, Kentucky Educational Development Corporation

D.J. was a new student, and like many students attending a new high school, he was not doing well.  Although he demonstrated academic potential, he showed little interest in school and even less interest in college.  Then Lana Sowders, the Youth Career Connect (YCC) Career Counselor at Casey County High School stepped in.  She knew D.J. had the skills and passion to build a successful future.  He only lacked opportunity.  Working with a local industry, she placed D.J. in a short-term, unpaid internship while she held ongoing one-on-one meetings with him to track his progress and provide individual career counseling.  D.J. thrived under her counseling and loved his new work environment.  As a result, he selected his career pathway.

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