In a bold move, Fallon’s own Sue Segura (a.k.a Dr. Sue) unexpectedly stepped out of retirement in January and returned to her CCSD roots. But not to sit behind a big desk or in a board room, as one might expect of someone with a Ph.D. and 37 years in education. Rather Segura, who much prefers a “boots on the ground” approach, is back in the classroom as CCHS’s new School Careers Coordinator.
Signing on with an 18-month contract, Segura has wasted no time getting the ball rolling. And rolling it is. Segura has already started establishing partnerships with local businesses like New Millennium. Internships, training programs, and full-time positions are just the tip of the iceberg. The goal – 100 local jobs for seniors by graduation.
Several parents, staff, and students participated in the Career Fair during Senior Night earlier this month. Taking turns experiencing cutting-edge technology with Virtual Reality headsets, attendees got to encounter firsthand the new Project SANDI VR field trip experience that allows users to explore the inner workings of various industries. Students explored fields like biomedical technology, mining, mechanics, banking, and more, all from the classroom. CCHS graduate Jake Olsen attended the event representing the dairy community and feed and commodity traders. Olsen took the VR farm field trip and said, “I think it’s the best way, without visiting a farm, to get the basics and learn.” School board trustee, Joe McFadden of McFadden Electric, opted for the HVAC virtual training. “If this could build some interest, hopefully, students will be a lot more apt to finish high school and graduate.”
The virtual field trip is only one aspect of the program. On a mission to meet with all seniors by March, Segura plans to help each of them complete an interest survey and develop what she calls an ABC plan. Plan A – Identify your dream career and how to get there, Plan B – What to do if Plan A falls through, and Plan C – a third plan of action if you find yourself on a completely different path. “The scariest thing you can ask a high school student is ‘What do you want to be when you grow up,’” said Segura. She is determined to help them overcome that fear and find out.
With top-notch technology resources at hand, Segura is helping students discover their interests, explore options, make a plan for college and beyond if that is their hope, join the workforce, learn about various trades, and take action. But that is only the beginning. Starting from day one, the veteran educator began working one-on-one with students, teaching them how to create a resume and cover letters, write letters of introduction, and build job-finding skills. Taking it a step further, she reviews each resume and, like any teacher worth their salt, works with them to ensure their work is flawless and will stand out to potential employers.
Segura, who has long-standing roots in Fallon and enviable associations in and out of the community, is helping students make connections to aid them in their post-high school journey. She is also working with business owners to create stand-out letters of recommendation for their student employees. Together, they are helping students feel inspired and move on to bigger and better things.
“It’s always about what’s best for kids,” said Segura. Visibly excited about sharing her dreams and strategies with those in her charge, she is also working on building an informal business coalition with local business owners to help students find and maintain local jobs. She has already partnered with New Millennium, one of the area’s largest and most community-focused businesses. Another new partner is JOIN, Inc., which focuses on helping Northern Nevada residents in their career path.
Other plans for the program include enhancing and expanding the dual credit options for students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously, working closely with the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program to help both college and non-college-bound students advance into the workforce after high school, and build on the CEDA partnership to create a workforce development and internship program for students wherein students also earn course credit, and more.
In a recent chance meeting, Segura happened upon a few former students visiting Fallon while on leave from the military. They asked their old mentor if she was teaching again. When Dr. Sue enthusiastically explained her new School to Career Coordinator role, they responded, “Lucky kids.”
If Segura accomplishes only a fraction of her high-flying aspiration, they will be lucky indeed.
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