Students at Berkshire High School recently participated in activities aimed at helping them plan for their futures, including visits to local businesses to explore potential career and job opportunities. Facilitated by the Geauga Growth Partnership, the “career-exposure-focused field trips” were available to all ninth-grade students and those 10th-grade students who chose not to take the Pre-American College Testing exam. School officials commended the participating business leaders for their willingness to engage with students across various industries. Among the businesses involved were D.A. Surgical in Newbury Township, Geauga Mechanical Co. in Chardon, Great Lakes Cheese in Hiram, In Step With Horses in Chester Township, ISSSQUARED Tech Center in Chardon, Mercury Plastics in Middlefield, Rescue Village in Novelty, Schoolyard Studio in Burton, Sheoga Hardwood Flooring in Middlefield, and Urban Growers Garden Center in Burton. Approximately 150 students participated in the morning field trip that involved six buses, each assigned to transport students to a specific set of three businesses. During each visit, students were accompanied by staff from Berkshire and representatives from the Geauga Growth Partnership, which allowed them to tour the facility, meet and interact with staff members, and learn about the educational and certification requirements, as well as the overall work environment. Officials stated that junior class members made significant progress toward college and career readiness by completing the ACT. In addition, seniors were able to fulfill required community service hours for graduation and engage in a career shadow experience of their choice, with the option of making contacts for their Senior Service Project proposal. ...read more read less