1. © CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12

2.  Introductions
 Where is Fayette County, Pa?
 Demographics of Region – Population Decline
 Community Profile
 Labor/Industry Information
 Collaboration and Community
 What is Career Challenge Day?
 Carmichaels High School: A Case Study
 Best Practices/Lessons Learned
© CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12

3. GinaJones,MPAMSWGCDF
• Expertise: Career
Development
and Community
Organizing (10
years
experience)
• Education:
Penn State
University and
University of
Pittsburgh
ScottNemeth,MS
• Expertise:
Recruitment and
Retention
(7+ years
experience)
• Education:
Indiana
University of
Pennsylvania
and West
Virginia
University
MichaelA.Jones,MSW
• Expertise: Career
Development
and Clinical
Social Work
(3+ years
experience)
• Education:
Seton Hill
University and
California
University of
Pennsylvania
© CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12

4. © CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12

5. 2000 Census report
 Fayette County - 148,644
 Greene County - 40,672 Total =269539
 Somerset County – 80,023
2010 Census Report
 Fayette County – 136,606
 Greene County – 38686 Total = 253,034
 Somerset County – 77,742
In a 10 year period this region’s population has diminished
by 16,305 persons.This is an average yearly loss of 1630.5
persons. Fayette Campus presently has a little fewer than
900 students, compared to 2003 when the campus
enrollment was 1,156.
© CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12

6.  Family Profiles
 Educational Attainment
 Literacy
 Labor and Industry
 Unemployment Rate remains higher than national
average (consistently)
 Major Industries: PA’s Career Clusters – Healthcare,
Technical, andTrades
© CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12

7. 0
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
140000
160000
2000 2010
Fayette
Somerset
Greene
© CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12

8. PERCENT OF STUDENTS WITH
UNDECIDED MAJORS
DIVISION OF UNDERGRADUATE
STUDIES AT PENN STATE
(c) CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
# of Undecided Majors
# of
Undecided
Majors
0
5
10
15
% of Students
% of
Students

9. Does your department utilize students to provide effective services?
http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/LTIwMzczMzA0Ng
In your current role, do you collaborate with other units outside of your
department?
http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/MTI2ODIwMDAxO
Q
Is there a collaboration between your department and the community?
http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/LTIxNDMzNDc3O
DQ
(c) CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12

10. Campus
Collaboration
Service to the
Community
Leaders
taking the
Challenge
© CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12

11. (c) CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12
Jason Broadwater, DSES
Click Here

12. Initial Proposal and Inspiration (2010 -2011):
 All over the country, educators, administrators, and
elected officials are projecting a significant increase in
drop-out rates for high school students. In an effort to
help deter the projected drop-out increase for
Fayette County, Penn State Fayette will host local
educators, counselors, and administrators for a
training institute in the Spring. (flyer sent to local
school districts)
 Rebecca Dedmond, FreshmenTransition Initiative
 UnitedWay ofWestmoreland County
(c) CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12

13. Evolving Project (2010-2012)
When did you create your last career plan? What if you had the chance to meet with someone who is achieving the goal you have?
What if you “really knew” what it took to get to the top? Based on the premise of MTV’s hit show, “If You Really Knew Me…,” Penn
State Fayette launched Career Challenge Day (CCD) in six local high schools during the 2010-2011 academic year.
During CCD, high school students will work in informal, informational “pods” facilitated by CCD Mentors (university students). Within
each pod, students will discover career options by participating in activities and meeting with employers and Penn State Alumni.
Goals of CCD:
 The goal of Career Challenge Day is to implement a proactive approach for the successful matriculation of students through
college via active participation career development. Career Challenge Day is one element of a collaborative relationship with six
local high schools, employers, and alumni in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Additional elements include:
 Offer FREE to low-cost nationally accredited career development trainings to school teachers, guidance counselors, and
administration (ACT 48 credits); trainings will provide participants with the skill set to integrate career development into courses and
develop new strategies to meet the PA Career Work Standards
 Solicit and maintain participation of university students as CCD Peer Mentors; students will participate in 5 career development
trainings and CCD events and earn Career Development Leadership Certificate
 Long-term Goal: work with administrators to match high school exit standards with post-secondary entrance standards
Career Challenge Day is an optimal chance for students to interactively engage with their peers, college students, alumni, and
employers in an informal setting. So often we present Career Development information in a lecture setting, that we forget what it
felt like to be unsure or unaware of the opportunities available to us. Learning about ourselves through the experiences of our “past”
(employers, mentors, alumni) is the best way to celebrate our “future!” The best way for students to get to their next destination is to
ask directions!
(c) CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12

14. (c) CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12

15. (c) CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12
Student Experiences CoreyVanSickle,
Guidance Counselor
Click Here Click Here

16.  Collaborate, Collaborate, Collaborate
 Patience is aVirtue
 Great ideas may take some time to implement
 There is NO BOX…Leverage Resources!
 Department Partnerships
 Cross-Campus Partnerships
 Community Partnerships
▪ People want to help; give them an opportunity to do so
(c) CCD: 2012 Careers Conference Presentation, 01/31/12