February 3, 2000

Bowling Green, Ky. -- Western Kentucky University's Career Services Center will offer work-based learning and school-to-work program activities for students at four area high schools.

Western recently received one of nine grants awarded nationally by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) in Oak Ridge, Tenn. ORISE, in an agreement with the National School-to-Work office, will oversee the project at Western called the FOCUS (Focus on Careers for Ultimate Success) program.

The FOCUS program will encourage career awareness, self-assessment, job development, and advanced postsecondary admissions and course credit for students attending the partner high schools -- Barren County, Edmonson County, Franklin-Simpson and Greenwood.

With more than 20 years of experience operating cooperative education and work-based learning programs for college students, Western's Career Services Center, in partnership with the Bowling Green Community College, will expand career and employment activities to provide additional service to FOCUS program high school student participants.

FOCUS activities will include visits to the four high schools to provide workshops concerning resumes, interview techniques, career choices and other topics. Additional training will be provided using Western's interactive television classroom facilities and web-based workshops. A website for students, teachers and counselors will be available for distributing information, materials, training and discussion of careers and employment.

For information, contact the Career Services Center, Western Kentucky University, 1 Big Red Way, 216 Cravens, Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576 or call (270) 745-3095.