Entrepreneurship

Mr. Randy Goff, owner of Chick Fil A of Boiling Springs, spoke with students about owning a business. Mr. Goff told students that they need to know who they are before they can decide what they will do for a career. He added, that you need to "have a mission" in life. Mr. Goff's inspirational presentation focused on the relevance of setting a realistic goal, staying focused, and achieving that goal.

Health Sciences

Ms. Chandra Flynn, Chief Nursing Officer at Mary Black Health System, spoke to students in Mrs. McReynolds honors chemistry class about careers in health sciences. Health sciences is the most popular cluster of study at Landrum High School. Careers in health sciences include, nurse, doctor, physician's assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist, surgeon and much, much more. Students interested in the health sciences cluster should take advanced math and science courses in high school.

Chiropractor

Dr. Julie Whitaker, from Guest Chiropractic Clinic, presented information about careers in Chiropractic medicine. Chiropractors treat patients with health problems in the musculoskeltal system. Most Chiroropractors focus on problems related to the spine. Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to help the patient recover. Chiropractors are required to have licensure in chiropractic medicine and a doctoral degree in chiropratic medicine. Sherman College in Spartanburg, SC offers a degree in chiropractic medicine. The job outlook is good and the average salary is $66,000 per year. For more information, click here.

Converse College

Converse College is an all female, liberal arts college located in Spartanburg, SC. Seventeen 9th - 11th grade students toured the campus today. For more information about Converse admissions, click here. Converse offers a variety of majors including interior design, art, biology, chemistry, and dance. Converse also offers graduate studies in education.

USC Upstate Computer Science and Computer Information Systems

Dr. Sebastian VanDelden, a Professor from USC Upstate's Computer Science and Computer Information Systems programs, spoke to 9th grade science classes about USC Upstate's computer science major. Students interested in math, science and information technology may want to research information about this major. Dr. VanDelden gave an interactive presentation about this major. For more information about this major, visit youtube.com and type in Robotics at USC Upstate.

Government and Public Administration Cluster

When you see the name of this cluster, you automatically assume that it relates to jobs in the military or judicial branches. There are so many more opportunities that are available. Government of Public Administration is one of the nation's top employers. Jobs in this cluster either administer government services or protect the people in America. Examples of jobs include lobbyists, Intelligence Agents, Auditors, Ambassadors, City Manager, and Court Clerks. Salary range varies depending on the job position and education received. For more information about jobs in the federal government, visit www.usajobs.opm.gov

Finance Career Cluster

The Finance career cluster involves jobs dealing with taxes, credits, insurance, investments and finances. Finance cluster jobs are found in every industry and in government. There are four pathways within this cluster. These are financial and investment planning, business financial management, banking and related services and insurance services. Some examples of jobs are accountant, internal auditors, stock brokers, actuaries, and appraisers. Most students interested in this cluster like math. Average salary ranges for jobs in this cluster are $34, 500 to $96,000 depending on education and profession.

Landrum Students Tour Local Colleges

This week, Guidance sponsored field trips to Presbyterian College, Lander University, Spartanburg Methodist College and USC Upstate. Students met with Admissions Counselors and toured the campuses. More than sixty students attended. Presbyterian College is a four year private institution situated in Clinton, SC. Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC) is a private two year college located in Spartanburg. Students with a cumulative 3.0 g.p.a. can receive free tuition at SMC. Lander University and USC Upstate are both public four year universities. Lander is located in Greenwood and USC Upstate is located in Spartanburg. For more information about these colleges, visit the Guidance office.

Permission Forms are due November 1st!

Students planning to attend the field trips to Lander University/Presbyterian College or USC Upstate/Spartanburg Methodist, need to have their 2-sided permission form turned in to Ms. McCrimmon in Guidance no later than Monday, November 1st.

Building Leadership Skills Through Course Challenge

This week in Guidance:

Freshman continue to participate in Swofford Career Center's Course Challenge.

Everything You Need to Know About SCC

Ambassadors from Spartanburg Community College (SCC) spoke to seniors about admissions requirements, majors offered, financial aid, testing and other important information about SCC. Spartanburg Community College is a public two year institution located in Spartanburg, SC. Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees are offered. If you have a 3.0 or higher G.P.A. by the time you graduate from high school, you can qualify for the LIFE scholarship. This will pay all of your tuition at SCC! For more information about SCC, click here.

Swofford Course Challenge

All Landrum freshman have the opportunity to participate in Swofford Career Center's Challenge Course. This fun-filled day teaches freshman to work together as a team. Each activity improves leadership skills, listening skills, and communication skills. This has been a long standing tradition at Landrum. Students have the opportunity to learn more about programs offered at Swofford Career Center. Some of the programs offered include cosmetology, auto mechanics, computer systems technology, and health science. All students are able to take courses at Swofford starting their sophomore year.

Governor's School for Math and Science

An Admissions Counselor from The Governor's School for Math and Science spoke to 9th and 10th grade students today. Students learned about requirements to be accepted. If you have a strong interest in math or science, then this may be the school for you. If you are interested in learning more about the school, click here. Classes taken at the Governor's School for Math and Science will count as college credit at most SC state colleges and universities. All students take a standard core college prep curriculum.

Interviewing Tips

For a third year in a row, Mrs. Kristi Doty, Human Resources Director for CH2MHill, presented information about interviewing. Mrs. Doty't tips are: use a professional email address, make sure your resume has no spelling errors, do research on the company before you interview, dress appropriately, arrive early for the interview, ask follow up questions at the interview, and write a follow up thank you to the person(s) that interviewed you. She says it's important to make sure you stand out above the rest. You should take the initiative and show a strong interest in the job.

Jobs in Demand!

More than fifty students signed up to hear Mark Cramer, from Spartanburg Community College's (SCC) machine tool technology program, present information about this two year degree program. Machine tool technology will help you learn blue print reading, computer aided drafting, computer numerical control, and how to use precision measuring equipment. You can get a head start by signing up to take classes at Swofford in machine tool technology. Some of these courses count as college credit from SCC and at no cost! The average salary range is $30,000 to $60,000. Career opportunities include machinist, CNC operator, CAD programmer and quality control inspector. For more information, click here. There are lots of jobs in this career field!!!

The Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities

Kelly Near, from The Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, spoke with students today about the application process and admissions information. The Governor's School is specifically for 11th and 12th grade students interested in taking academic core courses, as well as concentrating in a particular artistic field such as creative writing, dance, drama, music and visual arts. Students live on campus in Greenville, SC. Over 108 students graduated last year and more than 17 million dollars in scholarships were offered to these graduates. For more information, there will be an Open House on November 13, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Call or email to reserve your space by November 8th. 864-282-3713 or admissions@scgsah.state.sc.us

BMW

Students interested in the transportation cluster had the opportunity to visit BMW yesterday. They were given a tour of the facility and information about careers with BMW. BMW employs over 6000 people in the Upstate. BMW offers a plethora of careers including welding, mechanical engineering, human resources, accounting, and assembly line work.

Learn a Foreign Language, It's an Asset for Employment

Dr. Victor Prieto, Professor of Linguistics at North Greenville University, spoke to foreign language classes about the importance of learning a foreign language. Dr. Prieto showed examples of occupations that you can have with a degree in a foreign language. He also pointed out job advertisements specifically asking for a bilingual applicant. For example, Dr. Prieto showed a job advertisement for Michelin that asked for the applicant to be proficient in French and English. Many employers are seeking employees that are proficient in another language. Dr. Prieto discussed the importance of Americans learning Spanish. Students that are planning to attend a four year university or college need to take a minimum of two units of the same foreign language. However, some institutions are requiring three units.

Dan McBride visits 9th Grade Science Classes

For a third year in a row, Dan McBride, a Senior Scientist and Invention Lead at Milliken Research Corporation, spoke to 9th grade students in Mrs. Givins' and Mrs. Johnson's science courses. Mr. McBride captivated audiences with experiments, explaining scientific principles in an entertaining and informative way.

Game Warden

Mr. David Fox, a South Carolina Game Warden, spoke to forty-five students about his profession. Game Wardens ensure that hunting and fishing regulations are being followed. They patrol assigned areas to prevent fishing and gaming violations. Mr. Fox stated that on minimum a two-year college degree is required for this profession. However, he said, that a four year college degree is preferred. Some Game Wardens major in criminal justice, biology, marine biology, and/or forestry. The average salary range is $30,000 to $50,000. Due to popular demand, Mr. Fox will be back at Landrum in October to discuss his profession with another group of students.

Converse College

Ms. Meredith Hardwicke spoke to twenty-five Landrum female students about Converse College. She discussed admissions, financial aid and majors. Converse has just added new scholarships for academically talented students. Converse is an all female college located in Spartanburg, SC. For more information, click here.

SCOIS

9th Grade students in Mrs. Painter's class have been taking a career interest inventory on SCOIS.net SCOIS is an informative web site that gives students information about careers, colleges and financial aid. Students took a career interest inventory and researched a career within their cluster of interest.

North Greenville University

Mr. Andy Ray from North Greenville University's Admissions Department, spoke with more than fifty Landrum HS students about their admissions requirements and other general information about the university. North Greenville University is a fully accredited university situated in north Greenville county. They offer a variety of majors. The average G.P.A. for NGU is 3.5 and the average ACT score is 22. For more information about North Greenville University, click here.

BMW Field Trip September 28th

Students interested in information technology, engineering and auto mechanics should sign up for the BMW field trip. To attend, a one page essay needs to address the following: why you want to attend, how it will benefit you, how it relates to your career field, and what you hope to gain from attending. The student attending needs to be in good academic standing and have good attendance. The essay needs to be turned into Ms. McCrimmon in Guidance as soon as possible. There are only 17 seats available. Students will attend on a first, come first served basis. There is no cost to attend.

College Options Session

There will be a Student/Parent Information Session for students interested in attending Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn State, or Stanford University. The session will be held on September 12th at 7:30 p.m. in Greenville, SC. For more information, go to www.exploringcollegeoptions.org.

Landrum Student Ambassadors

Landrum High School is pleased to announce the 2010-2010 Student Ambassadors. Student Ambassadors are representatives for Landrum High School. They provide campus tours, assist with registration and help with freshman orientation.

Fastest Growing Jobs

CNN Money.com listed the fastest growing jobs for the next four years. For more information about these jobs, visit the Guidance office.

The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs between 2010—2014:

Network Systems and data communications analyst
Physician assistant
Computer software engineer, applications
Computer software engineer, systems software
Network and computer systems administrator
Database administrator
Physical therapist
Medical scientist
Occupational Therapist
College Instructor

Save the Date - August 3rd

A Parent Registration Dinner will be held for incoming freshman and their parents/guardians on August 3rd from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Students will have the opportunity to obtain their schedule, meet with school staff, and tour the campus. Parents/guardians will need to complete registration paperwork and pay school fees. Proof of residency is required for all incoming freshman. The following can be used as proof of residency: tax receipt, rental receipt verified, deed to property, lease agreement or realtor contract. A spagetti dinner will be served. We hope to see you there!

Merci Bouchon Restaurant

Students in Mrs. Baker's advanced French courses embarked on a cultural field trip to Bouchon restaurant, located in Asheville, NC. The field trip gave them the opportunity to practice what they have learned in class by ordering items off the menu in French and speaking in French with the wait staff.

French is the fourth most spoken language in the world. To attend a four year college, a student must take a minimum of two years of the same foreign language. Landrum HS offers Spanish and French classes.

AP Classes

Students who were enrolled in AP courses this year are currently taking AP Course Exams. The AP (Advanced Placement) Program is designed to give students the opportunity to take a college-level course while in high school. AP courses are rigorous and students desiring to enroll in one should be academically strong in the subject area and be prepared for hours of study and hard work. This may sound intimidating, but the pay off is great.
Depending on the college's AP score requirement, a student can potentially earn college credit. The highest score a student can earn on an AP exam is a 5. Most college's require a minimum of 3 or higher, some require a 4. Students should check with the Admissions department of the college they are planning to attend to learn about AP score requirements.

Kindergarten Teacher

So much of what you learn in kindergarten sticks with you for the rest of your life. From Robert Fulghum's "All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten," Fulghum discusses how the things you learn in kindergarten help you through out your life. He says "that no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together."

As a Kindergarten teacher, you impact a child's life. You teach children to share, to take turns, to wait in line, and to work together. These simple rules help you shape your character. Kindergarten teachers help students learn the alphabet, learn how to begin to read and teach other important fundamentals that are the foundation for an education.

To become a Kindergarten teacher, you need a four year college degree in education, certification in the field and a love for children. The average starting salary is $33,000. The job outlook is good, as there are a lot of teachers reaching the retirement age. For more information, visit the Career Center.

Students learn about careers in the hotel industry

Tenth grade students participated in a career field trip to the Westin Poinsett Hotel in Greenville, SC. Ms. Janice Smith,(pictured to the right) the hotel's Concierege, discussed her career and gave the students a tour of the hotel - including a close up look at the hotel's presidential suite where President Obama stayed. Students met with the managers of housekeeping, culinary, sales, and human resources.

Students explore WYFF Studio in Greenville, SC

Twenty-five sophomores participated in a career field trip to WYFF Studio in Greenville, SC. Mr. Jeff Lee, a Director for WYFF, led the tour and gave students a "behind the scenes" look at the daily operations of working in a news station. Students saw the news control room and studio that is used for live news casts. Mr. Lee allowed the students to see themselves on camera acting as meteorolgists and newscasters.

"It was a lot of fun. It would be cool to be a broadcast journalist. The experience really helped me see what the job will really be like," says student Mallori Inman.

Town of Tryon Job Opening at Harmon Field

Do you enjoy working outdoors? A summer internship is available at Harmon Field starting June 21st. The pay is $8 an hour at 30 hours per week. The position is only open to rising sophomores, rising juniors and rising seniors. Job responsibilities include assisting in facility preparation for special events, performing turf and field maintenance, and assisting in facility repairs and maintenance. This would be a great opportunity for students interested in landscaping and who are taking landscaping courses at Swofford. To obtain an application, see Ms. McCrimmon in Guidance.

Foothills Humane Society Summer Intern Position

Are you looking for a summer job? The Foothills Humane Society is seeking a summer intern. The pay is $8 per hour at 35 hours per week. An 8 week commitment is required. This position is only open to rising juniors and seniors. The job requirements include strong work ethic, ability to lift 50 pounds, reliable transportation, good communication skills and computer proficiency. Two references and a parent release form are also required. No phone calls - apply by emailing foothillshelter@windstream.net

If you have an interest in working with animals and your cluster is agriculture, food and natural resources, then this might be the perfect job for you. Need help with your resume - See Ms. McCrimmon in Guidance.

Rising Freshman Get Oriented to Landrum High School

Freshman Orientation was held on Apri 13, 14 and 15. Rising 9th grade students toured the campus, learned about Landrum policies and met school personnel and participated in mini lessons taught by 9th grade teachers.

Hospitality and Tourism Career cluster

This cluster includes jobs that make it possible for people to travel on business or personally, as well as attend business related conferences. It also includes jobs that allow people to explore the world safely. Pathways in this cluster include restaurant and food and beverage services, lodging, travel and tourism and recreation, amusements and attractions. Some jobs in this cluster include general managers, chefs, bakers, front desk clerks, concierges, travel agents, event planners, and museum docents. Not all jobs within this cluster require a college education. A high school diploma and on the job training or training at a vocational school is required. For management positions and museum curators, a four year college degree is required. The salary range varies depending on the type of job.

Landrum 10th Grade students will have the chance to see hospitality jobs first hand when they tour the Westin Poinsett Hotel in Greenville, SC on April 28th.

Career Spotlight - Dental Hygienist

Do you have an interest in working in the dental industry? Do you like science and enjoy working with people. If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you may want to consider a career in dental hygiene from the health sciences career cluster. Dental hygiene is one of the fastest growing careers requiring a two year college degree. Dental hygienists clean a patient's teeth and check for gum disease or any other abnormalties. State licensure is required. The average salary is $66,000 per year.

Need something to do this summer? Volunteer

Are you searching for something to do this summer? You should volunteer. Volunteering can give you job experience. There are many organizations in the area that allow high school students to volunteer. Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, the public library, the Humane Society, Polk County Red Cross are just a few that take high school volunteers. Interested? See Ms. McCrimmon in Guidance for more information about volunteer opportunities. Volunteering is beneficial because it gives you job experience, keeps you busy and is important for scholarship requirements.

Freshman Orientation

To help rising freshman become familiar with Landrum High School, Freshman Orientation will be held on April 13th, 14th, and 15th. Campobello Gramiling students will attend April 13th and Landrum Middle School students will attend on the 14th and 15th. This half day event will allow students to receive information about Landrum policies, sports, clubs and graduation information. Students will learn tips for success from high school students. There will also be mini lessons held that will allow students to discover first hand what will be expected of them in their classes next year. Additionally, students will tour the campus and eat lunch in the school's cafeteria. For more information, contact the Landrum Guidance department.

Mechatronics 101

Mechatronics integrated technologies refers to the integration of electronics, information sciences, and mechanical/computer engineering fields. It is a technician training program. Students may choose to earn a certificate or associate of science degree at Spartanburg Community College. Courses in this curriculum include the study of mechanical and electrical systems and information technology systems. Students interested in the manufacturing cluster, should check out SCC's mechatronics program by clicking here.

Mr. Paul Turner, from SCC's mechatronics program, spoke to students in Landrum's industrial technology classes. We thank him for his time.

SCC Ambassadors Speak to Landrum Students

Spartanburg Community College has implemented the SCC Ambassadors Program. This is a speakers program that gives high school students the opportunity to learn about college life from a college student's perspective. Two ambassadors spoke to both Mr. Brown's and Mrs. Lee's classes about SAT and ACT testing, college admissions information and Spartanburg Community College general information.

Juniors Visit North Greenville University Campus

More than twenty juniors visited North Greenville University for a campus tour. Students toured the facilities and learned about admissions requirements and financial aid. Average test scores for admissions to North Greenville are 20 ACT and 1100 SAT. The average GPA is 3.2. For more information, click here.

Manufacturing Cluster - Beyond work in a Factory

When you hear the term manufacturing, you often think of working in a factory. There is more to manufacturing than this. In fact, manufacturing careers require highly trained and skilled employees. More than 24.9 billion dollars each year accounts for manufacturing jobs in the U.S. In South Carolina, there is a critical shortage of highly trained individuals seeking work in a manufacturing career. If you are skilled with your hands, can repair broken items, like operating different types of tools and enjoy building things, then this cluster may be for you. Typical jobs in the manufacturing cluster include electrial engineer, chemical engineer, industrial hygienist, metal worker, and welder. The salary for manufacturing careers ranges from $28,000 to $88,000 per year.

Source: Pathways to Success

Engineer's Day at Landrum High School

Each year, the profession of engineering is celebrated through Engineer's Week. Engineer's Week places focus on careers in engineering. To help educate the community about engineering careers, CH2M Hill participates in Engineer's Day at Landrum High School. Engineer's from this Spartanburg firm present information about CH2M Hill, engineering careers, and have students participate in activities that give them a glimpse of what it is like to be an engineer. These activities involve team work and problem solving skills. This week, engineers spoke to Mrs. Givins', Mrs. Johnson's and Mrs. McReynold's science classes. Some of the activities that students worked on included creating a crane and dropping an egg from a high distance without breaking it.

IGP's in progress

Counselors are currently meeting with all current 9th, 10th and 11th grade students to discuss their individual graduation plans (IGP). At this meeting, Guidance Counselors discuss course requirements for graduation and assist students with choosing courses that will help them meet their educational goals - whether it is military, two year technical school, four year college, or the work force. Results from career tests, PLAN, and PSAT are interpreted and discussed, as well. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend. All parents and guardians will receive a letter in the mail with the date and time of the meeting. Meeting times and dates can be changed if necessary. Parents need to contact the Guidance Department to choose a more convenient time to meet.

USC Upstate Computer Science

Dr. Sebastian VanDelden of USC Upstate's Computer Science major, spoke to Mrs. Givins' and Mrs. Johnson's 9th grade science classes about careers in computer science. He demonstrated the use of robotics equipment and gave students the opportunity to use the robotics machine. Due to a shortage of students majoring in computer science, there is a high demand for computer science careers in South Carolina. Students with an interest in computer science should take rigorous math courses and computer systems technology courses offered at Swofford Career Center. For more information about this major, click here.