Are you a junior or senior in the peak years of high school? You’ve spent every single year since the age of 5, sitting in a classroom getting information crammed inside your brain doing your best to try hard in school, study hard and make your parents proud. Are you looking for an alternative route through high school? The CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) Program is one of many opportunities that Liberty offers to cater to students that may learn differently than sitting in a classroom all day.
Students who are Kinesthetic Learners, learners who physically want to be involved in something hands-on, involving themselves in a program like CAPS would be beneficial for these types of learners.
The CAPS program is a half-day program that immerses students in a professional environment where the curriculum is developed by industry professionals ensuring what students learn in the classroom is similar to the workforce.
In a regular school atmosphere usually referred to as students although in the CAPS program they are reffered to as associates. Associates are viewed in a professional perspective. Within the CAPS program, associates are building conections through their career talking to business officials and using professional skills along the way. It is important that associates through the CAPS program are not viewed as students but, as associates.
CAPS has three strands: Technology Solutions, Business and Healthcare.
Technology Solutions Strand
Technology Solutions consists of areas such as creative media and IT, business, and healthcare.
The Technology Solution Strand involves students in a combination of IT (Information Technology) and creative media. Career possibilities have a wide range of careers through cyber security, graphic design, photography, videography, and even careers such as photojournalists.
Students looking to go into the field of graphic design have the opportunity to check out a MacBook, getting the opportunity to explore Adobe products and get themselves more familiar with the products. Associates get the opportunity to connect with guest speakers that have interests such as IT, photography, and even graphic design. Associates get to explore their career choice and connect with business by completing a project with a business including website design, video creation, enhancing social media presence and more.
Business Strand
The business strand teaches students about Entrepreneurship skills and also about different business industries such as real estate, finance, and manufacturing. We learn by visiting local businesses and completing real-life projects for different clients in the area.
“CAPS has advanced my skills and the way I think by teaching me to strive for the best. I am constantly thinking of ways to better myself and my abilities,” associate Leah Kaler said, who is a senior. “CAPS is much different from a classroom setting in that we are going to new places and talking to new people every single week. Our class has at least one site visit to a local business per week. We also often have guest speakers and real world learning opportunities.”
Healthcare Strand
The healthcare strand allows associates to be able to explore all areas of healthcare. Associates will learn a variety of medical terminology. Associates will get the chance to learn about extending their network with healthcare professionals in a professional way. Although, the healthcare strand doesn’t get the chance to have a internship like the other strands. The healthcare strand does have the opportunity to volunteer at local places month
“I volunteered at Ranken Jordan the Pediatric Bridge Hospital which I absolutely loved working with the kids and employees there,” senior Lauren McCain, who was in the program her junior year, said.
The second semester in the healthcare program is filled with on site learning and site visits. Associates will get the opportunity to shadow in all different areas such as office settings: physical therapy, lab, emergency room, surgery, robotic surgery, labor and delivery (some even got the opportunity to be in the room observing a C-section.
McCain says she plans to major in either biology or family studies with an emphasis on child development.
“I love kids and want to work with them either in pediatrics or charity work like Make-A-Wish,” she said.
How Do Students Get Involved With CAPS?
CAPS participants learn a variety of professional skills that most students will have little to no experience in from their high school career. Students will get the opportunity to create a LinkedIn profile, create a resume, write a cover letter. This program is designed to be a one year program for high schools seniors, but the program often lets high school juniors in the program allowing them to have the two-year experience. During the second year, seniors will have the opportunity to have a full-year internship.
During the first year of CAPS, Associates will explore the career field, getting the opportunity to embark on site visits and listen to guest speakers. Students will learn professional skills such as communication, integrity, trust, creativity, innovation, critical thinking, problem solving skills. Students will learn the proper way to learn in a work setting, Including dressing business casual and business professional. Additionally, students will be able to take on a semester unpaid internship through their first year of CAPS.
CAPS has advanced my skills and the way I think by teaching me to strive for the best. I am constantly thinking of ways to better myself and my abilities.” Associate Leah Kaler (12)
CAPS Program Technology Solutions Instructor John Omoresemi, or as students call him Mr. O, is positively impacting high school students in hand on learning environment. Omoresemi was mostly inspired to be in a program that targets students’ growth because “I find personal fulfillment in mentoring, guiding and supporting young minds in their journey towards adulthood. I do find a sense of purpose and a desire to positively impact public education.”
Why spend your senior year blowing off class or being a teacher’s aide that will have no positive impact on your future? Imagine the possibilities of discovering your career interest, visiting and connecting with potential employers in our area, learning about your strengths and discovering your mission in life before embarking on your college career.
If you are interested in enrolling in a hands on program like CAPS, and are interested in participating in a shadow day. You will get the opportunity to preview and get a better idea what the CAPS program is all about, sign up for a shadow day here.
To learn more about CAPS, please visit https://stcharlescountycaps.yourcapsnetwork.org/
If you have any any questions please contact CAPS director Erica Land.
If you are interested in applying for the CAPS program feel free to attend SCC CAPS Prospective Student Night,
- When: Nov. 7
- Where: 2400 Zumbehl Rd, St Charles Mo., 63301
If you are interested in applying please fill out the application linked below. The application deadline is Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdb7EbExMEheLtFTOmh9pLTB3_RiQ6ZufesOfBpTKK3dnXm0w/viewform
