Career Connections:

The Maryland State Career Connections effort is part of the national ‘School to Work’ initiative. The goal is to use federal funding to support the development of local programs that promote career awareness, exploration and eventual employment for all students. The program in Southern Maryland is managed by the ‘Southern Maryland Career Connections Partnership’, which is comprised of the School systems in Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties and the College of Southern Maryland. This organization oversees the grant funding to insure that those items described in the original grant proposal are fulfilled. It is the goal of this organization to provide the best possible experiences for all students in Southern Maryland in terms of career and educational awareness and transition. One very important component of this organization is the close working relationship with local businesses. This has been an effective model for all ‘stakeholders’ to join together and work to guide students in their understanding of the nature of school and work.