Career Initiatives Program Courses

(All Career Initiatives Program courses are a semester-long)

COURSES

Construction & Engineering I

Academic Pathway: College Prep

Term: year-long course

Credit: .5 elective credit (2 semester = full class) 

Prerequisite: Algebra I, English I, English II. 

Construction & Engineering I is an instructional program that prepares an individual for employment or continuing education in the occupations of carpentry, basic architectural design, electrical wiring, masonry, HVAC, or plumbing. Construction & Engineering I is an introductory-level course designed to expose students to the fundamentals of construction safety, related tools, math skills commonly used in construction, and introductory-level carpentry, electrical, drafting, masonry, and plumbing skills. Any students interested in the following careers will find useful, hands-on, applied knowledge as a result of being in this course: construction, construction management, project management, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, home repair services, plumbing, HVAC, electrician, and many more construction-related fields. 

Construction & Engineering II

Academic Pathway: College Prep

Term: Semester

Credit: .5 elective credit  (2 semester = full course) 

Prerequisite: C+E I, Algebra I, English I, English II. 

Construction & Engineering II is an extension of C+E I and is designed to deepen skills related to construction.  These areas of continuing study include carpentry, basic architectural design, electrical wiring, masonry, HVAC, or plumbing. Construction & Engineering II will deepen students’ understanding of construction safety, related tools, math skills, carpentry, electrical, drafting, masonry, and plumbing skills. This course will have a strong emphasis on project-based, individual learning through the long-term, multi-step application of skills learned in C+E I.

Introduction to Manufacturing

Academic Pathway: College Prep

Term: Semester

Credit: .5 elective credit - Seniors only  (2 semester = full course)

Prerequisite: Algebra I, English I, English II. 

Introduction to Manufacturing is designed to open students’ eyes to the amazing and accessible work of product production.  Many students state that they are interested in business, but frequently don’t know what that means.  This course is designed to give insight into how “stuff” is made in our economy, and how students can be a part of this sector of our Economy.  The Cincinnati area has hundreds of small, intermediate, and large companies that operate at local, national, and international scales to give customers what they need to thrive in their businesses. Most of our graduates are involved in consumer goods production, distribution, and sale in some way, shape, or form.  This course will prepare students like no other Purcell Marian course ever has prepared our future graduates to enter the workforce ready to earn and make a living.  

The topics and skills we will cover in this course include career pathways in manufacturing, manufacturing safety, applied business and measurement math, assembly line organization, Lean Manufacturing, Engineering Design processes, and hand tools.  Students will work collaboratively with students in the math department to design and produce a product that we will then build in class. Any students interested in the following careers will find useful, hands-on, applied knowledge as a result of being in this course: manufacturing, tool and dye making, consumer products manufacturing, food services, fashion manufacturing, and any other jobs that require assembly line-style production. 

Internship

Academic Pathway: College Prep

Term: Semester

Credit: .5 elective credit 

Prerequisite: C+E I, MANU I

Internships are arranged through the Career Initiatives Program (CIP) in conjunction with our participating corporate partners.  An internship (paid or unpaid) is a work-based experience that allows students to go off campus, be trained by our corporate partner’s training protocols, and gain hands-on work experience that can be applied to future career aspirations.  This arrangement will require students to make potentially significant changes to their schedules to allow time to transport and work off-site locations.  Students must sign appropriate partnership agreements, non-disclosure agreements, liability waivers, indemnity forms, and other additional paperwork by ORC and best practices.  

Each internship is unique and different according to student interest, company products, and training procedures and expectations  Students should assume a mindset of openness to new ideas, be willing to take supervision and training from professionals, and abide by all company rules and regulations regarding performance, timeliness, drug and alcohol usage, tax code compliance, and other job-related expectations. Students also realize that they can be fired or removed from an internship in case of any performance-related concerns or policy violations.  

Grades will be assigned as either “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory” based on the previously agreed-upon key performance indicators (KPIs). 

College and Career Readiness I

Academic Pathway: College Prep

Term: Semester

Credit: .5 required credit - Seniors only  (exemptions handled on a case-by-case basis)

Prerequisite: Passed junior year and matriculated to senior year. 

This first-semester course is designed as a resource for students working on their college applications, scholarship applications, apprenticeship applications, or enrollment applications.  It is also designed to help students still in the process of discerning and planning for their next steps beyond high school enrollment.  

In addition to individual work time that is set aside for completion of applications and career/college exploration, this course will also have a variety of lesson units designed to address the following topics:  career exploration, job market research, personal skills exploration,  resume building skills, business, and college soft skills, interpersonal communication skills refinement, and other lessons designed to help students prepare for their next step in life.

Ideally, the desire of PMHS is to help students develop successful pathways to their own futures, have confidence in their decisions, and plan accordingly to achieve their personal goals.

College and Career Readiness 2

Academic Pathway: College Prep

Term: Semester

Credit: .5 required credit - Seniors only  (exemptions handled on a case by case basis)

Prerequisite: Passed junior year and matriculated to senior year 

This course is a continuation of the first-semester course, but with an increased focus in the following areas:

• applying for scholarships
• exploring life skills for successful independent living
• practicing effective interview skills, and other communication skills
• building a positive and professional online presence
• developing components of the student portfolio

Work Study

Academic Pathway: General

Term: Year-Long Course

Credit: 1 credit

Students will be assigned to a supervisor within the school who will simulate an outside work environment. Placements include the cafeteria, main office, attendance office, book depository, and athletics department. This course aims to facilitate a strong work ethic and encourage positive social communication. Students are not paid for their work, but they are evaluated quarterly on personal and professional growth.

FACULTY