Think back to when you were in high school. Picture yourself sitting in class. Maybe you were daydreaming about what you were going to do that weekend, thinking about who the football team was playing Friday night, or finishing an assignment. Think about the conversations going on around you at school and home. How many adults asked you about your plans after high school or helped you plan your future career?
If your path was similar to most, it was few and far between. Bastrop ISD has flipped the script on those conversations and the benefits are already being seen.
In 2020, BISD initiated the Career Mentor program. This program seeks experienced and enthusiastic individuals who want to make a difference by meeting with a high school student as they navigate their future career paths. The mentorship includes guidance in college and career planning, effective communication skills, goal setting, interviewing skills, work/life balance, and building social capital. Qualified mentors have at least three years of experience, availability to meet for online video calls, no criminal history, and a commitment to help a student.
One of those students is senior Breanna Brimhall, whose future career goal is to become an anesthesiologist or surgical technician. Breanna signed up for a career mentor hoping to connect with someone who could give her the guidance needed to start her career path and college journey. She was also seeking someone to ask questions and look up to. Breanna was strategically paired with Dr. Rebecca Miller, PhD, MHSA, RN, NE-BC. Dr. Miller is a nurse scientist and has been in the nursing field since 1991.
“Because Dr. Becky Miller has had many experiences in the medical field, she helped me figure out what I want to do with my future. She has even met my mother in meetings regarding my next steps,” said Breanna.
Dr. Miller spoke of the importance of gauging the student's interests and finding out what’s most important to them. “You have to ask the right questions to help them develop,” she said.
The program not only helps students figure out next steps after school it also generates enthusiasm.
“The biggest benefit I have observed with several of my students is the excitement in pursuing, in my case, the healthcare field,” said Annette Harrison, RN, BSN, and Bastrop High School Health Science Teacher.
Harrison is one of the teachers who participates in the program by allowing her students to use part of their class time to meet with the career mentor.
Dr. Miller added that the healthcare industry currently has a major shortage and by participating in the career mentor program, she can help guide students who are interested in the field, into an exciting career helping close the gap and develop the profession. “My true love and passion is in nursing,” she said.
Dr. Miller has assisted in developing mentor programs in the past and is familiar with the success of helping influence the younger generation. “The goal is to help give them clarity and direction. The health field is wide open, but it’s up to them to decide for themselves what they’re getting into,” she said.
“This mentoring program has benefited me in so many ways, and I will always be thankful for Dr. Becky Miller,” said Breanna.
If you are interested in signing up to be a career mentor with Bastrop ISD or have any questions, visit www.bisdtx.org/careermentor. If you are a BISD teacher and want to take part in the program, email wbl@bisdtx.org.
