Opinion: Students need workplace skills; schools should teach them

High schools could teach students how to apply for jobs, do well in interviews and succeed in the workplace. Why don’t they train us in these useful skills?

Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic Vision, an independent journalism training program for high school students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.

This June, I’ll be looking for a summer job as I head into my junior year in high school. I have two goals: improve my budgeting skills and pay for my own non-essentials. But I’m not sure where or how to start.

There’s not much talk at school about how to find a job and how to successfully apply. Our college-focused high school curriculum skips over a crucial lesson: preparing us to enter the workforce.

Bay Area students live in a highly competitive state for both college and careers. We also live in one of the nation’s most expensive regions. In spite of rigorous coursework, I feel unequipped to compete for sought-after entry-level jobs.

What is my definition of feeling prepared? Confidence that my high school education has equipped me to track down positions, successfully apply for them and become a valued team member. In our highly competitive society, these are essential skills no matter what level job you’re pursuing.

More is at stake than just a summer job. Growing up, I’ve consistently been encouraged to do well in school, then get a good job. To many, a good job is an occupation with high pay and benefits.

The first step toward landing that good job in the future is learning those fundamentals now including how to make a favorable first impression. But we’re missing that first rung on the career ladder — learning how to compete for low-level positions where you have the opportunity to develop crucial workforce skills.

I have an inexpensive solution for high schools on tight budgets.

Each semester, offer at least one job skill-building seminar. Invite professional career counselors to run the sessions and provide lessons that cover the basics: how to create an impressive resume, prepare for job interview questions, follow up when you don’t hear back and create a network that loops you in to new job postings.

Also, offer handouts that we can refer back to long after those seminars. This is a small investment in helping students not only gain workforce experience, but also pay for some of our own expenses and save for college.

There’s evidence that I’m not the only one who wants practical job skill training. XQ Institute, an educational nonprofit based in Oakland, conducted a national poll in 2022 that asked if high schools are preparing students for the labor pool. A resounding 93% of those surveyed said no. The sample of high school students, educators, parents, and employers was small but the overwhelming response raises a red flag for those in charge of our education.

“A good high school should give you strong academics, plus an ability to see how your coursework connects to the world around you,” said Beth Fertig, an XQ senior editor for education.

XQ works with schools to improve workforce and career skills. It urges schools to collaborate with communities and develop internships and other skill-building opportunities. Fertig said seminars like the ones I’m proposing would develop students’ confidence and help them experience the real world with much less doubt.

I reached out to students on social media to test out the idea of skill-building seminars and received much approval.

Sylvia Lopez, a senior at Silver Creek High School, thinks the seminars would fill a void, especially for students who can’t afford private career counseling. “Most people have to build their resumes on their own. Having the counselors help and having it scheduled and required would help so much,” Lopez said.

Change begins with high schools giving us the resources that students like me urgently need. Even if they’re small steps like seminars, the impact could be huge.

Take the long view. It’s a win-win. Helping us land and succeed in cashier and waiter jobs now is a minimal down payment in preparing our generation for the day when we’re in charge.

Jasmine Sessoms is a sophomore at Silver Creek High School in San Jose.