Craig Daily Press

Craig — Krista Schenck, Moffat County High School business and marketing instructor, has her sights set on her students’ futures — beyond high school and after college.

“I think (high school education) is really focused on getting kids to college and not in careers,” she said.

She plans to help change that.

By administering a bus­­­­iness and marketing pro­­­­­­­­­gram advisory committee, Schenck intends to build a network among students and local business leaders.

The end result: To give students the career exposure they need make informed long-term educational plans.

Schenck has organized the committee for the past two years, but the turnout at these meetings has been less than she had hoped, she said.

This time around could be different.

“We’ll see,” she said. “I sent out (invitations) to a lot more people this year.”

Her invitation list for the committee’s Jan. 17 meeting includes more than 15 local business representatives from various fields, including real estate, health care, downtown businesses and Colorado Northwestern Community College.

High school administrators, parents and students also are scheduled to attend.

John Ungefug, a high school senior, spoke at advisory committee meetings last year to suggest how the business program could better meet students’ needs.

“It was really pretty cool … to be there and put my input in to people that mattered,” he said. “It was kind of nice.”

Ultimately, the committee may “open doors” to internships and job shadowing — opportunities that are essential for post-graduation success, she said.

The federally mandated advisory committee is the first step toward both goals.

Initially, the group was created to benefit local employers, Schenck said.

The federal government provides funds to high school business and vocational programs, including those at MCHS. In return, the government requires program instructors to create advisory committees where business leaders can weigh in on topics such as program curriculum and activities.

The committee ensures that high school business and vocational classes are preparing students to meet job market needs, Schenck said.

But the committee may also benefit students.

By networking with business leaders though the committee, the business program also can introduce students to local professionals.

Schenck said she thinks that interaction with business leaders can give students the experience needed to make informed career-path decisions.

Internship and job shadowing opportunities could give students further experience in a field of interest before pursuing it in college.

“Some may realize they love it,” she said. “Some may realize, ‘That’s not for me.’”

In Schenck’s opinion, it’s better for a student to alter his or her career plan before going to college, where a change of mind can equate to an expense of time and money.

Ultimately, it comes down experience.

“There’s only so much a book can teach you,” she said.