College and Career Ready Coordinator
College and Career Ready Coordinator
Hello Penns Valley!
My name is Liz Girts and I am happy to join the PV Family as the College & Career Ready Coordinator for Penns Valley Area Jr/Sr High School. I spent the past 10 years as a high school counselor in Lewistown, so I am familiar with the college and career planning process and resources.
I am originally from West Chester, PA but fell in love with Central PA when I attended PSU for my undergraduate studies. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development & Family Studies from Penn State, a Master's of Education in School Counseling from West Chester University, and a Master's of Arts in Educational Administration from Point Park University. As you can see, I enjoy learning and I am always looking for the next topic to explore further!
I live in Bellefonte with my husband, our two sons, cat, and dog. There is never a dull moment in our house! When I'm not at school, I enjoy spending time outside with my family and curling up with a good book!
I'm looking forward to helping PV students figure out what their next step is after high school.
Please reach out anytime you have questions about careers, internships, job shadowing, or future planning!
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PA CareerZone
...is a FREE website that students can use for a variety of career exploration resources. Students are able to complete interest assessments, learn about budgeting, search careers, build a resume, search colleges and trade schools, learn about financial aid, and do so much more!
Students can create an account with their PV google credentials and begin exploring the site. As they are navigating the tools, they can save careers, majors, colleges, etc. so that they can return to the information over time.
The site can be accessed by clicking this link: PA CareerZone
Smart Futures
...is a career exploration site that Penns Valley uses for students to complete career related activities that assist in the completion of the Chapter 339 requirement for all students. These activities include personality type assessments, mock job applications, mock job interviews, personal budgeting, active listening strategies, and many more!
Students can access their accounts by clicking the link below, selecting "portal" in the upper right corner and signing in with their PV google credentials.
Link: Smart Futures -
What Is Job Shadowing?
Job Shadowing is an excellent way for students to "test drive" a career field! Students are able to spend time shadowing, or observing, a career that interests them to determine if itis a good fit for them. Job Shadowing can take place for half of a school day (morning or afternoon) or for an entire school day. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Job Shadowing site. If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please set up an appointment with Mrs. Girts.
Where Can I Shadow?
PV Students have shadowed in many different businesses and career fields. There is a list of businesses and work places that have provided Job Shadowing to PV students below. Some workplaces will have specific age requirements for students. If you have a business or work place in mind that is not listed, stop in and talk to Mrs. Girts about making arrangements!
Who Should Job Shadow?
EVERYONE! Every student can benefit from a Job Shadowing experience, or two! Shadowing is a great way to see what a "typical day" may look like in your career field(s) of interest.
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What Is An Internship?
An Internship is a hands-on learning experience in which students are on the job site each day, learning alongside their supervisor.
Internships enable students to work in the field with supervision to sharpen their workplace skills and develop their professional network.
How Do Internships Work?
Student Interns spend a portion of the school day at their job sites. Students need at least one block open for an internship, but can have multiple blocks assigned to their Internship. Additionally, internships can last for a marking period, semester, or the entire school year.
Interns will attend their internship sites as they would any traditional class at school. Student Interns sign in and/or out in the Counseling Office when they are leaving school or arriving at school each day. Interns earn elective credit based on the number of hours worked; 120 hours equates to 1.0 credit of internship elective. Internships are graded as "Pass/Fail" so they do not impact a student's GPA or class rank.
Internships are approved for students that are seeking to learning something new; students cannot earn internship credit simply for going to their part-time jobs.
Student Interns are responsible for their transportation to and from their job sites.
Who Is Eligible For An Internship?
Students need to have the following to be an intern:- At least one block of time available in their schedule (marking period, semester, or all year)
- Be in good academic standing with graduation requirements
- A valid Worker's Permit
- Reliable transportation
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Please reach out with any questions about career exploration, Job Shadowing, Internships, or any other future-planning needs!
- Click here to Schedule an Appointment
Phone: 814-422-2003 ext. 2531
Email: egirts@pennsvalley.org