Career and College Readiness

At South St. Paul Public Schools, students don’t have to wait until after graduation to start building their futures. From preschool through 12th grade, Packer Pathways helps students discover their passions, connect them to real-world opportunities, and prepare them for life after graduation, whether that’s college, career, or both.

One powerful example is the TriDistrict CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) program, part of the Packer Pathways experience. CAPS is a real-world learning program for juniors and seniors in South St. Paul. Through CAPS, students explore careers, gain professional skills, and learn about the many ways to earn college credits, degrees, or job-ready certifications all before graduation.

Visit www.careercollegeready.org to learn more about the TriDistrict CCR Initiative.

TRIDISTRICT CAPS PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

TriDistrict CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) is an innovative, career-focused initiative that connects high school students with professional experiences in fields like healthcare, business, education, and IT. Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and partnerships with local industries, students develop essential skills, earn college credit, and gain a clearer vision for their future careers. This program is in partnership with Simley High School and Two Rivers High School. By sharing resources our districts are able to offer our students more career and college readiness programming and opportunities.

TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGIES

Careers in Transportation Business and Technologies

The Careers in Transportation Technologies program is an excellent opportunity for students interested in business, entrepreneurship or a specific career within the transportation industry (engineer, technician/mechanic, driver, sales, mobile or towing services, parts distribution, construction, etc.). Students in this program will be immersed in the day-to-day operations of local businesses that are regional and national leaders in transportation-related fields. In the first half of this year-long course, students will learn directly from individuals currently working in transportation careers. In the second half of the course, learning will be facilitated through a hands-on internship. Students will leave this course with an understanding of the many opportunities available and the skills necessary for a career in the transportation industry, including:

Service, diagnostics and repair
Sales, marketing and advertising
Employee recruitment, hiring, training and retention
Customer service
Finance and management
Business growth and forecasting
Warehouse, delivery, inventory and logistics

Location:
North American Trailer
11015 Clark Rd., Inver Grove Heights
Transportation Provided

HEALTHCARE AND MEDICINE

Healthcare Careers and Medicine

The Healthcare Careers and Medicine program is an excellent opportunity for students interested in business, healthcare administration or a specific career within the medical field (doctor, nurse, veterinarian, emergency responder, lab technician, researcher, etc.). Students will be immersed in a hands-on learning environment led by healthcare professionals and TriDistrict staff and will have direct access and exposure to authentic experiences in the field of medicine. In the first half of this year-long course, students will learn directly from individuals currently working in healthcare careers. In the second half of the course, learning will be facilitated through a hands-on internship. Students will leave this course with an understanding of the many opportunities available and exposure to the skills necessary for a career in the healthcare industry, including:

Healthcare systems
Human physiology
Medical ethics and professionalism
Communications and medical terminology
Patient care

Location:
Twin Cities Orthopedics Sports Medicine Center
Viking Lakes Campus
2805 Vikings Circle, Eagan
Transportation Provided

BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Careers in Business and Entrepreneurship

New this year, the TriDistrict Business and Entrepreneurship Program is an excellent opportunity for students to gain a broad understanding of the wideranging aspects of the world of business, as well as to develop their own entrepreneurial mindset as they learn the rigors and rewards of being your own boss. Students learn first-hand from business leaders in our communities and region the careers that exist in the business sector, and what it takes to succeed in areas including, but not limited to finance, marketing, sales, management, entrepreneurship, advertising, and many more. Along the way, students will learn the professional skills that support success in the work environment and practice these skills as they develop a professional resume, digital profile, and engage in practice interviews, site visits, and guest presentations. Students will also earn an English credit for this course as they improve their writing, reading, presentation and other communication skills through a variety of materials and activities.

In the second semester, students put what they've learned to the test as they enter into an internship experience with a business partner. This internship will provide students the opportunity to deepen their learning into an area of particular interest; it can also be an opportunity to partner with an area entrepreneur and learn more about the successes and challenges of owning your own business.

Location:
Evolve Workplace
260 Wentworth Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55118
Transportation Provided

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

In Computer Science & Information Technology students develop the professional skills and the technical knowledge needed to explore multiple areas of information technology, computer science, and the affiliated fields that drive the IT/CS industry. Discover a vast array of specialty areas available in technology careers where professionals utilize technology to solve business problems and design products. Immerse yourself in a professional environment while you tackle and solve real-world problems. Students who successfully complete this course will earn HS credits for AP Computer Science A, and have the opportunity to take the AP exam. Currently, students are also able to earn their Google IT Support Professional Certificate.

URBAN EDUCATION

Careers in Education

A Career and College Readiness pathway is offered in the field of Urban Education. Future teachers in the program learn how to use the diversity of urban schools to set students up for success in school and in life. The collaboration is between SSPPS and Metropolitan State University (MSU). Students will learn from current MSU professors and SSPPS teachers and gain valuable in-class experience throughout the South St. Paul School District.

The first half of the course is dialogue set up between the students and professors about real topics facing our education system today. They will learn how to feel comfortable having difficult conversations that may not have a clear and concise answer. The first half of the year sets students up to think along the lines of an educator. The second half of the year is spending time in a classroom seeing how their conversations play out in real life.

Credits and Skills Earned

Students will learn the professional skills that support success in the work environment. Students will earn six college credits and complete the first two required classes towards a State of Minnesota Teacher Certification. The first is Education 200: Introduction to Urban Education and Reflective Teaching. The second is Education 203: Multicultural Education. Students will also earn an English credit for this course as they improve their writing, reading, presentation and other communication skills through a variety of materials and activities.

Location:
South St. Paul Secondary Building

To Register

To register visit the TriDistrict CAPS website: www.careercollegeready.org.

Student Success Stories

It’s a really good opportunity. I don’t think I would be where I am today if it wasn’t for CAPS.Maverick, Grade 12

Maverick – Transportation and Trades

For Maverick, a senior at South St. Paul High School, learning never looked like sitting at a traditional desk. It looked like tool carts, light switches, and a full-time job before graduation.

He joined the Transportation and Trades Pathway through CAPS, exploring hands-on trades and completing an internship at North American Trailer in Inver Grove Heights. Today, he works there full-time. “It taught us trade and life skills, things you don’t always learn sitting at a desk,” he says. “It helps prepare you for the real world.”

It’s a great way to figure out what you want to do and get real experience before graduating.Mariana, Grade 12

Mariana – Healthcare Careers and Medicine

For Mariana, another SSPHS senior, learning means scrubbing dental tools, organizing instruments, and earning college credit in the Healthcare Careers and Medicine Pathway.

Through her internship at Horton Orthodontics, she works as a sterilization technician gaining real experience in a dental clinic while confirming her future path to become a dental hygienist. Her advice for other students? “Apply! There are so many opportunities to learn and meet new people.”

Postsecondary Enrollment Options

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students to earn college credit tuition free while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college courses. With traditional PSEO, these courses are generally offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online.

Watch this video for more information on PSEO at SSP High School

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