Coordinator Brings Professional World To Newtown High School

By Larissa Lytwyn

Newtown High School’s recently hired Career Center coordinator Colleen Aiezza, a former adjunct professor and coordinator for Junior Achievement, Incorporated, a nonprofit organization connecting corporate leaders to classroom volunteerism opportunities, hopes to bring the same “real world” feel to Newtown High School.

“Even though I enjoyed working at Junior Achievement, I missed working directly with students,” said Ms Aiezza, mother of college- and high school-aged sons.

Career Center coordinator responsibilities include soliciting and coordinating volunteers for the Career Center’s shadowing program, in which students have the opportunity to work directly with professionals in careers of their interest. The coordinator also schedules and administers career-aptitude assessments and personality tests, including the Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory. In addition, Ms Aiezza schedules and hosts college representatives, advertises scholarship opportunities, serves as counsel for college-bound students and their families, and prepares and edits Scoop, junior and senior class newsletters.

“The coordinator vacancy was open since August,” said Career Center Director Peg Ragaini. “We worked for most of the fall without one! [Ms Aiezza’s] ability to counsel students preparing for college, as well their families is an important part of the [coordinator] position. It also helped ease some of the extra responsibility on our guidance counselors.”

Ms Aiezza joined the team the week before Christmas. “It was actually a pretty quiet time,” Ms Aiezza said. “It allowed me to get acquainted with [the job].”

She discussed some of her beliefs regarding the college search.

“I believe it is perfectly all right for students to begin at a college with an undeclared major,” she said. “The first year is predominantly general education focused anyway.”

Students who select a major prematurely are apt to change their focus later on, she continued, leading to graduation delays.

“There is a good [higher-education] program out there for every student,” added Ms Ragaini. She detailed the popularity of Choices, a college-search software program allowing students to select an institution based on specific interests, including geographic location, size, academic and extracurricular offerings, tuition costs, level of competition, and more.

Ms Aiezza also emphasized the importance of students interviewing at colleges they are potentially interested in attending.

She has personal experience in the benefits of interviews.

With a college-bound son with better grade averages than SAT scores, Ms Aiezza emphasizes the importance of honing one’s unique skills.

Interviews can allow applicants to connect on a personal level with college administration, she said. Other aspects of the application process, such as personal essays, can also give students an opportunity to shine.

Underestimated is the “value” of state education, including the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut University System, comprised of Western, Central, Southern, and Eastern Connecticut State University.

“You really get the bang for your buck,” Ms Aiezza noted.

Students considering taking a year off after school are still encouraged to apply. “That way, you still have your application done,” Ms Aiezza said. Financially strapped students, she advised, should still consider attending classes at two-year community colleges or attend a state institution part-time.

“There are many ways students can approach [their lives] after high school,” Ms Aiezza said. “There is no ‘one way.’”

Beginning at the end of the month, Ms Aiezza will begin holding open office hours for college-bound students and their families every other Thursday. She is also available by appointment. For more information, contact the Career Center at 426-1915.