To connect students with a member of the community, to provide real-world knowledge and business experiences.

Remember What it was Like to Be in
High School?

Can you Devote 1 – 2 Hours Per
Month to the Future?

Volunteer to be a Mentor for Carlmont High School’s
Business Technology Academy

Description:
What is the Academy Program?
 A school-within-a-school (located within the Sequoia Union
High School District)
 A combination of academic and technical training
 An industry/school partnership

Who are the Academy Students?
 10th – 12th graders (juniors receive mentors)
 Trained in computer technology
 Complete a rigorous program in Math, Social Studies, English, and Biology
 Improve their Grades and attendance and develop positive attitudes
 Earn a high school diploma and prepare for work and/or college

What is a Mentor?
 Professional role model
 Resource for employment/career/college information
 Willing to give at least 1-2 hours per month

Mentor Job Description
Simply, a mentor is a guide for a student. Since a mentor is the “business expert”, the mentor’s main job is to guide the student in matters relating to business (what it takes to get a particular job). Since most mentors are extremely busy, a mentor is asked only to give a couple hours a month to meet with the student (however, more is appreciated). This time commitment will last throughout the year (approximately October through May). In addition, a mentor:
 Provides a supportive relationship with someone more senior in age and experience who can offer support and guidance as the student prepares to enter the world of work.
 Serves as a role model and offers friend ship of a caring adult. Professional caring only. Mentors are not asked to be counselors.
 Discusses with student current issues regarding business and explore career choices.
 Discusses with student plans for college, and if possible, helps student in college application process.
 Helps students with resumes and interview skills.
 Learns about the high school culture and what students go through today.

History:
The Carlmont Business Technology Academy is a “school-within-a-school” program, which focuses on creating partnerships with parents and businesses to prepare students for the increasingly competitive marketplace. By joining forces with local businesses (and parents), the Academy seeks to provide an integrated academic, technical, and employability skills curriculum in business technology to the students. The idea is to give the students the extra support needed to be successful.

The Academy is one of two hundred Academy programs in California. The teachers in the Academy work as team to plan curriculum, organize events, and counsel students; they have a common free period for this purpose. The classes are smaller than usual to allow more individual attention.

Students interview with the Academy teachers and sign an agreement before entering the program. They stay with the same teachers for three years (10th through 12th grades) and complete a program in the core academic courses (i.e. Math, English, U.S. History, American Government, Science, and Economics). In addition, the students learn business technology skills like keyboarding, word processing, database, spreadsheet, graphics, web-page design and electronic mail. Upon graduation, students will have met the state’s model curriculum standards in business technology, and they will receive a full high school diploma.

Students are also held to high attendance and behavioral standards. If they do not meet these standards, they are asked to leave the program. The students are responsible and possess positive attitudes about learning and working.

Need for Mentors

Many of the students have misconceptions about business, the workplace, and what it takes to be successful today. Mentors provide a good source of information about the “real” world realities. In addition, mentors provide the extra guidance and support that students need to be successful.

Contact person: Chris Eggert, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Main office number: (650) 595-0210 ext 8647

Address:

1400 Alameda De Las Pulgas Belmont, CA 94002 (See a map)

Web Site: http://carlmont.seq.org/academy

Directions:

HWY 101 to Ralston. Ralston to Alameda de las Pulgas, turn left. School is on the right.

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	Cantonese, French, Spanish
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	21
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	Yes