A Different Road to Success Is Taking Shape at Cabrillo High School

Something is taking shape at Cabrillo High School on Long Beach's Westside. Representatives from different industries are beginning to make regular visits to the campus, introducing students to careers, apprenticeships, and opportunities they may never have considered.

Behind these visits is a growing effort by Long Beach Legacy to help students prepare for life after graduation. It's not simply about finding them a job. It's about helping them develop the skills, confidence, and connections they'll need to enter the workforce.

And from what I observed during a recent visit, this is becoming much more than an occasional career presentation.

Electrical Apprenticeships Offer Students a Path Into Skilled Trades

During my visit, students gathered to hear from a representative of the electrical industry. Some were already interested in becoming electricians. Others were there to explore their options and learn what opportunities might be available after graduation.

The conversation quickly moved beyond what electricians do for a living.

Students learned about apprenticeship programs, the application process, training requirements, and how wages increase as they gain experience. They also discovered that entering the electrical trade doesn't necessarily require previous experience.

One of the more interesting parts of the presentation was learning that apprentices can earn a paycheck while receiving their training.

For example, information provided by the Los Angeles Electrical Training Institute showed starting wages of $26.80 an hour for its Inside Wireman apprenticeship, with journey-level wages listed at $67 an hour.

That's an opportunity worth exploring, especially for students who may not see a traditional four-year college education as their next step.

Of course, getting into these programs takes preparation. Apprenticeships can be competitive, and students need to understand the requirements before applying.

That's where the larger effort at Cabrillo comes into the picture.

Workforce Readiness Training Takes Shape at Cabrillo High School

What caught my attention wasn't just the presentation. It was the organization beginning to develop around these visits.

Julie Ryan, a longtime Cabrillo educator and founder of the initiative, is working with educators, alumni, and industry representatives to create a more structured approach to career preparation.

Rather than inviting a company to speak and hoping students follow up on their own, the group is developing a series of activities to help students take the next step.

November is being organized around employment preparation. Plans include resume writing, interview practice, and learning how to communicate with potential employers.

There's even an AI-assisted interview practice program under development that could give students an opportunity to rehearse their answers before sitting across from a real employer.

December is being planned around certifications and additional training, including the possibility of OSHA safety certification.

These may sound like small steps, but they address something important.

Knowing what career you want is one thing. Knowing how to get hired is another.

Students need to understand how to complete applications, respond to employers, arrive on time, and follow through on commitments.

These are skills that apply whether someone wants to become an electrician, work in manufacturing, enter construction, or pursue another career.

Expanding Career Pathways Beyond Traditional College

For years, the conversation surrounding high school graduation has often centered on college.

But not every student wants to attend a four-year university, and not every career requires one.

During the meeting, one student expressed feeling lost despite spending time researching possible opportunities. The comment stood out because it captured something the organizers are trying to address.

Students may know they want a better future without knowing how to get there.

That's why the program is exploring several industries rather than concentrating on one.

Electrical apprenticeships are among the first opportunities being introduced. Carpentry and plumbing representatives are also being considered for meetings with students. Discussions are underway about automotive careers, manufacturing, and other technical fields.

There is also interest in arranging visits to Long Beach City College, where students could see training facilities and learn more about different trades.

The goal isn't to steer every student toward the same career. It's to give them enough information to make a decision that fits their interests and circumstances.

And sometimes, seeing the equipment, meeting someone who works in the field, or asking a few questions can make an unfamiliar career feel like a real possibility.

Student Ambassadors Help Shape the Career Program

Another interesting development is the effort to give students a larger role in shaping the program.

During the meeting, organizers discussed creating student ambassadors for different career fields.

A student interested in electrical work, for example, could help classmates learn about upcoming presentations, workshops, and apprenticeship opportunities.

As additional industries become involved, other students could take similar roles in carpentry, automotive technology, or other trades.

Alumni are also participating, offering a connection between students still attending Cabrillo and those who have already begun navigating life after graduation.

The organizers want students to help identify the opportunities they need rather than simply attend activities planned for them.

That could eventually make the program something students help build and maintain themselves.

It's still early, but the idea has potential. Students who discover an opportunity today may become the ones helping another student find direction tomorrow.

Building Industry and Community Partnerships on the Westside

Of course, organizing workshops and bringing industry representatives onto campus takes more than enthusiasm.

It takes relationships.

That's another piece of the work Julie Ryan and her supporters are putting together.

The group is reaching out to employers, training organizations, community colleges, and potential sponsors who can help students access opportunities.

Some certifications and training programs come with costs. Transportation can also become an obstacle, particularly when an apprenticeship or job requires traveling outside the neighborhood.

The organizers are exploring ways for community supporters to help with those expenses.

There are also plans to create student profiles, with appropriate permissions, so potential supporters can learn about the students and the opportunities they're pursuing.

The idea is to build a connection between young people who need a chance and community members who may be able to help provide one.

A Long-Term Commitment to Student Career Development

As the meeting came to a close, there was already discussion about the next industry visit, additional workshops, and ways to get more students involved.

There were practical questions to answer, schedules to coordinate, and plenty of details still being worked out.

But that was part of what made the visit interesting.

I wasn't watching a finished program being presented to an audience. I was watching people organize one, with students participating in the conversation.

The electrical presentation was one piece of a larger effort that is expected to continue throughout the school year.

And as more industries become involved, students will have additional opportunities to explore careers, develop practical skills, and meet people who understand what employers are looking for.

For Cabrillo High School and the surrounding Westside community, this could become an important connection between education and employment.

Not every student will choose the same road after graduation. Some will attend college, others will pursue apprenticeships, and some are still figuring out what they want to do.

What matters is having somewhere to begin.

And at Cabrillo High School, that beginning is taking shape, one industry visit, one workshop, and one opportunity at a time.

Julie Ryan
Telephone: 310-480-1545
Email: jryan@longbeachlegacy.org

Website: https://longbeachlegacy.org/