One Student’s Story

When Talazia Moore entered Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology in Charlotte as a freshman, she was unsure about what her future would hold. She knew she liked sports and was interested in law, but these were very broad fields, and she wanted some direction for planning her future. She had no idea the impact that a decision to enter the NAF Academy of Information Technology would have on her life. She wasn’t even that interested in the field of IT, but she knew career academy students had exposure and opportunities that went beyond the normal high school experience. She stated, “I hoped the career academy experience would help me to gain a better sense of what I wanted to do after high school.” And that hope became a reality.

What Talazia experienced being a part of the NAF Academy of IT at Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology High School in Charlotte, changed the trajectory of her life. “I took technology courses that ignited my passion of computing,” said Talazia.

Through the NAF academy, she became a member of the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT), where she won the NC Affiliate Award and AspireIT grant. This award honors high school women who are active and interested in computing and technology, and encourages them to pursue their passions (NCWIT, 2016). With this grant, she has started a youth summer camp called GidgetGirls, for girls ages 10-13 to learn more about computing skills.

“Being a part of the academy helped me to define some of my future goals, such as going to college and one day creating a program that positively impacts the education of children,” Talazia said of her experience.

Partners in Education Innovation

Career academies are an innovative way to prepare high school students for college, careers and life. This is why NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning decided to partner with NAF, a national organization that supports the development and structure of career academies in high schools. This partnership is a strategic alliance between two organizations that share a similar vision to create opportunities for all students to graduate college and career ready.

Together, these organizations are able to bring more support to school districts looking to develop career academies and offer students opportunities that may otherwise be absent from their high school experience; such as, job shadowing and internships. The NAF academy model and framework, in conjunction with the integrated system of school and district supports in the form of professional learning and coaching provided by NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning, creates an overall seamless experience of structure and support for success.

NAF Academies Prepare Students for College and Careers

Since 1982, NAF Academies have developed career-readiness skills in high school students. Currently, this is accomplished through a work-based learning continuum that exposes students to community business partners. These business partners work with students on skills many employers say are lacking from high school graduates, such as responsibility, communication and problem solving abilities.

Students in NAF academies gain experience through project-based learning, presentations to authentic audiences, mock interviews and feedback from industry professionals. They also work in professional environments through job shadowing and internships, which give them exposure to the real world expectations on the job site.

Where Is She Now?

Talazia graduated from Phillip O. Berry Academy of Information Technology in 2014 in the top 10 percent of her class. She is currently a sophomore at NC State University majoring in Intended Business Administration with a concentration in information technology and serving as a resident community leader. She has experience interning with Bank of America and will be leading her third GidgetGirls summer camp this summer.

Talazia’s best advice to high school students who want to graduate career ready, “Develop time management skills, never be discouraged when something doesn’t work out the way you want, and stay connected because you never know what opportunities could be offered in the future.”

For more information on NCWIT and the Aspirations Award, visit www.aspirations.org.

Mia Pumo is the Director of Career Academy Development for NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning.