Welcome to Career ConneXions!

The St. Xavier High School experiential learning program (aka Career ConneXions) was started 3 years ago and is back again with the goal of deepening a students' understanding and learning through hands-on experiences and 'live' interactions. Our program vision is to connect Alumni and Parents with St. Xavier Students to contribute in their journey as Men for Others by inspiring and educating on fields of study, industry and career planning.We believe this program comes at a critical time in our students' journey to discover their life's mission with the benefit of learning from those who have experience and wisdom to share.

Speaker Series

Educational Series

Career Fair

Informational Interviews

Mentoring/Coaching

Job Shadowing

Summer Internships

NOTE: All programs are voluntary and open to all grade levels

We typically offer an educational class or a speaker event monthly during flex (the lunch free period). We offer Informational Interviewing, Mentoring/Coaching, and Job Shadow Day Experiences throughout the school year.  We use the school calendar to take advantage of 'off' days for job shadows. Summer internship opportunities will target Summer 2021. Each event will be well publicized through existing communication channels at school (homeroom announcements, social media, website) and through email (e.g. Principal's Weekly).  We also have a REMIND system that parents and students can opt into. Parents can sign in by texting @ccxparent to 81010 and Students can sign in by texting @ccxstudent to 81010.

For Adult Volunteers: 100% of our programming is made possible through adult volunteers.  We would like to encourage participation by seeking your input on where you (and/or your company) can get involved. As stated, there are a variety of ways to be involved, from a simple skype session, informational phone call, shadow day, up to and including a sponsored and paid summer internship. Click here to see a description of the opportunities and to let us know where you and your company can have an impact. As Men and Women for Others, we thank you in advance for playing a vital role in shaping our next generation of St. Xavier leaders.

For St. X Students: This program has so much to offer as you plan your future. It's an exciting time to be part of this ground-breaking program. Click here to see a description of the opportunities available and let us know where you want to get involved.

As you continue to explore your future path, utilize the following resources for your own development and growth. The Career ConneXions team has put together the following list, and would love to add to it. If you have resources to share, please send them to stxcareerconnections@stxavier.org and we will include them in this list!

Recommended Reading:

Top 20 Books You Need To Read To Crush 2020
Best Business Books for Entrepreneurs, Creatives and Professionals to Read (And Grow)
101 BEST Business Books of All Time (2020)
Heroic Leadership
Pope Francis

College Preparation Resources:
Ethan Sawyer - The College Essay Guy

Electronic Tools/Training:
Creating Interactive Excel Dashboards
G.I.M.P. (free alternative to Adobe Photoshop)
G.I.M.P. Tutorials

Youth Leadership Presources:
Ted-Ed: What adults can learn from kids 
Youth Leadership Goals
Global Youth Boom is Here

Stock Market:
Basics of the Stock Market

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE2NsJGpEq4 

A monthly educational topic related to job readiness (e.g. Resume Writing, Interviewing, Networking, Etiquette).

Interview Tips

• College Interview Preparation
• Interview Assessment Form
• Interviews Do's and Don'ts
• Possible Mock Interview Questions

Resume Writing

• Before and After Resume Examples
• Example Resume
• Resume Building Template

Discovering Yourself

• Buzz Words and Cover Letter Tips
• Career Interest Survey
• Discovering Yourself Reflection Questions

Cincinnati Business Courier - May 2020

St. Xavier Magazine - February 2020

St. Xavier Magazine - October 2019

St. Xavier Magazine - July 2019

St. Xavier Magazine - February 2019

St. Xavier Magazine - October 2018

St. Xavier Magazine - July 2018

St. Xavier Magazine - February 2018

A short-term experience where a student will follow or “shadow” an employee as he/she performs normal work activities. Typically, job shadowing is a half-day or a full-day field experience or tour of a business or organization. In light of COVID, we will also be offering virtual job shadows this year.

We hope to have many slots open for job shadow experiences in the 2020-2021 school year! Check back here in early September when the signup will be live.

• Job Shadow Program Guidelines
• Student Expectations
• Program Checklist and Worksheet
• Host Terms of Agreement - Electronic Signature Form

Having a mentor/coach is a one-to-one relationship that provides "hands-on" learning and mentoring/coaching based on a student’s degree, career, or life interest. Examples can include choosing a college major, time management, etc. The mentor/coach relationship generally lasts for multiple months and can last as long as the student holds the connection, and frequency of the meetings can be determined by the coach/student partners.

Interesting in having a mentor/coach of your own? Click the link to sign up for one. https://forms.gle/cGz7Y83w6uYxUK397

Program guidelines
Mentee self-assessment goals worksheet

The informational interview program seeks to help students explore and engage in potential career paths that suit the student’s interests, or personality. Students take a survey to help them find potential career paths, and then they are matched with someone who works in that career field. The student has the opportunity to meet with that person, either face-to-face or over the phone, and ask questions and hear stories about the career field. The informational interview program is low commitment for both the adult volunteer and the student, because the meeting is only a one-time event. Ultimately, if the student-adult meeting is successful, the hope is that it will develop into a mentoring/coaching opportunity or an internship, that allows the student to further explore the career path they are interested in.

Informational Interview Guidelines

Interesting in having an Informational Interview of your own? Click the link to sign up for one. https://forms.gle/cGz7Y83w6uYxUK397

Please reach out to stxcareerconnections@stxavier.org with any questions about the process.

Professional Credibility - Mr. Bill Bagley :05/20

• Presentation slides

Questions about COVID - Dr. John Croker '03: 05/20

Working from Home Tips - Michael Mills '01: 05/20

• Presentation slides

Career ConneXions Week February 2020:

• Choose Your Own Adventure - Jim Schwaller '97
• Seniors Student Panel

Careers with Mission Driving Organizations- Bill Placke '61: 12/19

Interview Tips - Lauren Cobble and Jen Buse: 11/19

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3

Interviewing Tips - Christine Dauenhauer and Chitra Shanmugham: 12/18

• Part 1
• Part 2

Careers in the FBI - Mark Rogers: 10/19

Career ConneXions Week- February 2019:

• Developing Your College and Career Plan- John Kutney
• Seniors Student Panel

Discovering and Developing Yourself- Dave Eby 04/19 

Career ConneXions Week - March 2018:

• Senior Student Panel 
• Young Alumni Panel 
• Careers in Finance - Bryan Jones'87 

Lessons in Leasdership - Eric Breissinger '85: 01/18

Lessons from a Surgeon - Dan Johnson '73: 01/18