In order to help at-risk students become successful in school and later in life, the BTE-Bound Brook program helps students understand the importance of choosing a career path that offers a secure future, such as healthcare. Through the BTE program students become aware of the vast choices in the healthcare field and are encouraged to pursue these fields through several enrichment opportunities offered by ETHICON, Somerset Medical Center and Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC).
In school year 2006-2007, the BTE program piloted a semester-long Career Development Course for all 9th grade students enrolled in Bound Brook High School. To expose students to careers in the healthcare industry, ETHICON, Somerset Medical Center, and RVCC offered two Healthcare Career Fairs, enabling all Freshman to interact with scientists and other professionals and engage in hands-on experiences that showcase specific healthcare careers.
In Year 2 (school year 2007-2008), 20 high school students interested in pursuing a healthcare career were selected to participate in an after-school Pathways to Health Careers program. Through weekly workshops, students will receive academic tutoring from RVCC students, engage in science enrichment activities, and work with a mentor from ETHICON and/or Somerset Medical Center. Students will also participate in site visits and job shadowing experiences for "real world" exposure to difference career opportunities.
In Years 3 and 4, high school teachers and guidance counselors participated in a series of professional development career awareness workshops at ETHICON and Somerset Medical Center, providing information on different careers in the healthcare industry. The high school science teachers will also meet with the RVCC science faculty to discuss how high school students can better prepare for college and succeed in college-level science courses.
Impact
106 Freshman served in Year 1; 20 students received targeted services in subsequent years.
New Career Development Course.As a result of the BTE grant, this semester-long course is now a requirement for all 9th grade students enrolled in Bound Brook High School and provides an introduction to a wide variety of careers and career pathways.
Decreased Remediation. 15% of BTE students (Juniors) will require remediation in college-level English (11:13 placed into college-level English) and 47% in Math (7:13 placed into college-level math), as indicated on the Acuplacer Test—a placement test used by many NJ colleges, compared to nearly 66% of the incoming RVCC students. [60% of BTE students are classified as English language learners.]
