Program Overview
Career Discovery Solutions(CDS) is a program in which students are mentored to make informed decisions about choosing a career path. Rotarians and Kiwanis volunteers work with local schools and the YMCA to match middle school students with local businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies to involve students in solving real world problems. Through the process of real world problem solving, students engage in dynamic learning experiences and gain knowledge on actual situations.
What Benefits Does the CDS Program Provide?
- Furnishes students with a venue for career exploration
- Provides valuable linkage between students and local businesses and government agencies
- Allows students to integrate core academics with real life problem solving
- Brings together Business and Education for the betterment of students and the local community
Student, McKinley Middle School, RUSD, Austin
The CDS trip was an AMAZING experience! I recommend and wish all young adults could experience this. While on the trip, you learn vocabulary and other important aspects of the job; you are interacting and having fun instead of just reading about it in a textbook. I hope everyone gets to experience this for years to come.
Community Participant, Chris Terry
The CDS program enhances students' education by incorporating real world business problems in a unique way that is fun and engaging.
Teacher, Mckinley Middle School, RUSD, Judith Mosley
The CDS program has been a wonderful learning opportunity for the students...
This unique learning opportunity gives eighth grade students the chance to apply skills taught in the classroom...
They continue to reflect positively on the experience and request more projects of this nature.
Student, McKinley Middle School, RUSD, Gabrielle
I am so glad I was able to experience CDS. It gave me further insight into a career I am really interested in. The CDS field trip is something I will never forget and I will always look back on it. This is definitely a program that should continue for many years to come!
Assistant Principal, Jerstad-Agerholm Middle School, RUSD, Ben Holzem
The CDS program has allowed our students to apply their academic skills in real world settings. In doing this we have been able to demonstrate the reason why those skills are important while exposing students to career paths that can guide their instructional choices in the future.
Student, McKinley Middle School, RUSD, Michael
I thought that the sports arbitration trip to Parkside was fun, yet very educational. I learned all of the steps that it takes to go through in arbitration, and when and why sports players file for arbitration. The fun part was when we acted out our own arbitration and got to research facts to support our arbitration. Overall, I think this trip was informative and entertaining. I would definitely recommend this trip to others!
