Career Connections

Entering the workforce with an advantage.

 
 

As a MicroSociety School for over 15 years, The Chiles Academy has grown to develop its own pre-professional program that focuses on community engagement and career readiness called Career Connections.

Each student enrolls in at least one Career Connections track designed to expose her to a profession aligned with her interests and life goals. Through experiential-based learning, students “try on” a job, a role, a position or a set of expectations that she might encounter throughout her career after she earns her high school diploma.

Attendance matters!

For every day of attendance in her track, a student earns Career Cash to be spent every Friday on Market Day or to be saved for the two major auctions at the end of each semester. On Market Day, students are welcome to use their Career Cash at the student-managed Thrifty Chic Boutique stocked with gently-used items, baby clothes, shoes, and toiletries. They can also purchase diapers and wipes every Friday.

Students participate in an auction for big ticket items twice a year with their saved Career Cash

Students participate in an auction for big ticket items twice a year with their saved Career Cash

Health Care:

TCA students are encouraged to enroll in the Health Care track if they are interested in pursuing a career in the health care profession, with particular focus on studying for and passing the certification test for Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) license. Any student who completes at least one semester of the health care track is eligible to take the CNA test paid for by a scholarship provided by the Bonner Chiles Foundation. Students become CPR and First-Aid Certified through the American Safety & Health Institute. Participants benefit from Q&A sessions with visiting healthcare professionals and tour local healthcare facilities.

Governance:

The focus of the Governance track is to bring TCA citizens and community members together to improve the society. Students will identify issues and implement solutions. Participants will gain valuable leadership skills and demonstrate those skills at our Student Government Association meetings.

Adulting:


Adulting is HARD- but in this track you will learn real life skills to make growing up more manageable! You will learn about professional communication skills, successful job interviews, customer service, filling out applications, creating a resume, and giving presentations.  Personal finance, steps to take to obtain your Driver’s License, entrepreneurship, career networking, and positive use of social media will also be part of this exciting career track.

Arts:

As a student in the Arts track, you can expect to work with local artists and learn a variety of art techniques and art history. Participants will work hands on with different mediums and create their very own masterpieces! Students will also have the opportunity to tour art exhibits and museums.

Students learn infant CPR for certification in the Health Care track of Career Connections

Students learn infant CPR for certification in the Health Care track of Career Connections

Students in the Child Care track can put hours toward their DCF requirement and later enroll in the CDA certification classes at Daytona State College.

Students in the Child Care track can put hours toward their DCF requirement and later enroll in the CDA certification classes at Daytona State College.

Daytona Beach Police Officer discusses community policing procedures and how law enforcement can work together with community members to keep neighborhoods safe.

Daytona Beach Police Officer discusses community policing procedures and how law enforcement can work together with community members to keep neighborhoods safe.