| 70% of Students Say They are Worried About Their Future Career
 Vital Link recently held Student Career Exploration Focus Groups to determine the level and nature of student experiences with the Career Exploration process. As a follow-up to the Focus Groups, Vital Link created a Student Career Exploration Survey and distributed it to high school students throughout Orange County. The survey was taken by 662 students from 42 different schools.
The results of the Focus Groups showed that students felt it was very important to have more and better information about the options they have for their future career. The results of our Survey revealed that 70% of the students surveyed said they "strongly agreed" or "somewhat agreed" with the statement, "I worry about what my future career might be." Careers are on the minds of our students and 65% of them said they have been provided with some career information but would like more.
It is interesting to see where the students are getting their career Information. A large number of students rely on their teachers and parents to give them the facts about career information. Based on the survey results, it raises our awareness of the fact that we need to be sure teachers and parents have sufficient resource information that is accurate and current. Students are not viewing the school counselor as their primary source of information, compared to parents and teachers. 27% of students said they got a "fair amount" of information from their counselor and 19% said they got "a lot" of information from their counselor.
Regardless of where students get their career information, the importance of providing a broad base of individualized information is key. By exploring careers that match an individual's aptitudes and talents and are aligned to their interests and passions, a student can make the link between their education plan and a meaningful career.
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| 2008-09 Board of
Directors Elected
We are proud to announce the election of the Vital Link Board of Directors for 2008-09. Three new members joined the team and as their first official act, they approved the 2008-09 Budget and the revised Strategic Plan for the organization. With enthusiasm, the Board affirmed the direction the organization is going and put their full support behind the programs currently being offered and those that are on the drawing board. 2008-09 Board of Directors
Vince Brantley - Greater Santa Ana Business Alliance
Denise Clynes - CCROP, Garden Grove USD
Kimberly Dall - State Street IMS
Corine Doughty - Orange Coast College
Jan Gameroz - Saddleback Memorial Medical Center
Steve Glyer - Newport Mesa USD
Jennifer Marine - Schools First Credit Union
Charmayne Mayer - Lynch Ambulance
Alisa McCord - OCDE
Bobby Menn - Saddleback Valley USD
Diana Schneider - CCROP
Christine Shewbridge - Junior Achievement
Pattie Dillon Sobczak - Chapman University Extended Education
Thank you to this dedicated group of people for supporting the Vital Link mission.
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Disney Shared the Magic
Over three hundred students and teachers experienced a unique behind-the-scenes look at how the magic is created by Disney Entertainment Productions. The three-hour experience included presentations by Disney designers, a visit backstage, a networking lunch with college exhibitors, and ended with a question and answer session with the Disney professionals.
Alejandra Garcia from Tustin High School said, "This experience has helped me see more opportunities. At first I had no idea what career I should take, but after last Wednesday, I have an idea. I want to be a fashion designer or a cartoon animator. Whatever choice I'll make, I will work hard to make my dreams come true. The speakers gave a lot of good advice and I have learned that I should not be afraid of getting out and exploring new things, to take advantage of the opportunities I have and not to waste them."
The program was a collaborative effort between Vital Link, Arts Orange County and Disneyland Resorts. Pat Wayne, Director of Programs and Education at Arts Orange County said, "We could not be more fortunate to have teamed up with Vital Link who is an expert at connecting young people to potential careers. It is the perfect collaboration connecting creativity to a creative business in our community."
The creative process demonstrated throughout the day captivated students and teachers attending the Career Exploration Program. One student said, "My future and interest definitely include Disney, they always have, but you can't obtain a job as Cinderella forever. So I know that I wanted something behind the scenes. I think it would be fulfilling to bring joy to children who come to see it from all over."
Thanks to the efforts of the Disney Entertainment Productions team, the students are excited about getting into creative careers and are exploring possibilities for their future. Thank you, Disney Entertainment Productions for helping the students select Careers by Choice, Not Chance.
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Alisa McCord Goes Above
and Beyond
The Board of Directors took the opportunity to recognize one of its Members for all of the time and the effort she spent in the successful completion, and ultimate approval, of a grant that will fund a pilot program in Career and Education Planning. The Board expressed their appreciation for her dedication to getting the project done and going Above and Beyond.
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| Donors Respond to Our
Wish List
 Thank you
to those of you who
responded to last month's Vital Link Wish List requests. We were very excited to get 120 3-Ring binders from State Street, and office supplies from Gilda Gonzalez with Cerritos College . All of the items were things we use on a daily basis and will help us keep the cost of operation down.
Thank you for the support!
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Wish List
 If you are interested in supporting Vital Link through an in-kind donation, the organization is currently looking for the following items:
- Silent Auction and Drawing Items for Recognition Mixer event
- Van to transport event props
- Copier Paper
- Desk top computers
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How Do You Get Involved?
You can help us Connect Students To Their Future by volunteering your time as a committee member or as an event volunteer. Join one of the following committees and be a part of the team that makes things happen!
Event Committee
Marketing Committee
Curriculum Committee
Career Exploration Center Committee
Contact the Vital Link office at 949-646-2520 or by e-mail to kathy@vitallinkoc.org if you are interested in becoming an event volunteer or would like to join a committee and need information on how to participate.
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Vital Link, a non-profit organization, provides creative and professional programs that focus on leading edge job skills and job development curriculum. We reach over 25,000 students each year through the Career Exploration Programs, support services, and use of the Vital Link curriculum. Encouraging students to make the connection between their education and their future career path is foundational to Vital Link and will impact lives today and in the future.
Contact us: Vital Link
P.O. Box 12064
Costa Mesa, California 92627
(949) 646-2520 Phone
(949) 646-2523 Fax
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