Career Coach Program

The Blueprint for Maryland's Future legislation outlines the mandate to provide all FCPS middle and high school students with individualized Career Coaching services. The Career Coach Program is a partnership between Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick County Workforce Services, and Frederick Community College. There are 22 Career Coaches who serve our 10 high schools,13 middle schools, 4 charter schools, Heather Ridge School, The Career and Technology Center, Frederick Community College Dual Enrollment program, Virtual High School, and Remote Virtual program.
How do Career Coaches Support Students?
Career Coaches provide a variety of services to help students learn about the world of careers.
During middle school, there is a focus on self-discovery, identification of interests, skills, and abilities. Middle school students will have the opportunity to expand their awareness of careers and explore how they may take steps towards a career pathway when they get to high school.
As students enter high school, Career Coaches help students begin to explore the careers that may have piqued their interests. Students will learn the details required to make informed career decisions. Career Coaches will help students learn about their post CCR pathways, apprenticeship opportunities, and post secondary options. Career Coaches will also help students become career ready by providing opportunities to gain soft skills, resume skills, interview skills, and more.
How does the Career Coach Program look like in schools?
Career Coach services look a little different school to school. Our team adjusts to the culture and needs of our student population, and the priorities of our administrators. However different each school may be, coaches are meeting students where they are at.
Coaches meet with students for one-on-one career counseling conversations. They pull students into small group sessions. Career Coaches offer co-curricular collaboration opportunities to connect curriculum to careers. Our team offers guest speakers, field trips, job shadowing, and more engaging opportunities to expand career awareness and take deeper dives into careers of interest.Coaches are regularly and continuously expanding our events and services to meet student needs.
In middle school there is a focus on self discovery. What are students strengths, interests, values, and skills? How do those discoveries link to careers? As students enter 8th grade, students are exposed to the many pathways and opportunities available to them in high school.
In high school there is a stronger influence on career exploration and preparation. Career Coaches help students make informed decisions about their post-CCR pathways. As students become old enough to enter the workforce Career Coaches help students learn how to enter the workforce and to learn the necessary soft skills needed in order to be successful on the job. Some of the job readiness skills Career Coaches cover with students include resumes, cover letters, thank you notes, and applications. As students near graduation Career Coaches are there to offer insight into the various post secondary options students have after high school.
Career Coach Program Resources for FCPS Staff:
Career Coach Program Resources for Parents/Guardians:
- Parent Information Flyer
Career Coach Program Resources for Industry Representatives:
- Business Information Flyer