Academic Career Exploration (ACE) Program Information

What is ACE?

ACE is a program in which students in the Las Cruces Public Schools can earn credit through participating in work experience or early field-based experience related to their chosen program of study before graduation. Employability skills are necessary to understand the diversity of workplace cultures and employer expectations. The ACE team is here to ensure you, as young adults, have options to develop positive life skills before graduation, including the ability to understand personal and professional career decision-making and employability skills.

As the student and the end of the experience, you will demonstrate an understanding of the competing demands and responsibilities that are parts of life, such as how to balance time and roles as a student, employee, and family member. You will gain valuable exposure to life-long peer mentors in and out of the work setting. We will work together to show how to gain the ability to work well with others; understand complex interrelationships; work with a variety of technologies and acquire skills to organize and plan your personal and professional life. Whether you participate in a connected work experience or work under “Co-op” (employer provides direct monetary payment and provides pay stub) --the ACE team offers you a chance to develop a functional resume and basics to begin your portfolio before you graduate.

What are ACE students expectations?

• Follow employer expectations including participating in workplace orientations or meetings

• Report on time to work site and follow weekly or monthly employer schedules

• Dressed appropriately for the job as defined by the employer or the audience in which you are serving

• Participate in time management including keeping a personal calendar and daily note log of activities

• Hold a positive attitude

• Report to your school Career Specialist or counselor on a weekly basis

• Follow confidentiality rules by the employer and Las Cruces Public Schools

ACE Co-op students will follow the above and turn in weekly or bi-weekly copies of pay to their school site mentor or counselor. Weekly journal notes are not necessary however we encourage you to check in with your school mentor to get involved with resume and job fair workshops held for all students participating in the ACE Program.

If at any time you feel a student is not following the expectations please refer them to any Career Specialist. We will correct the behavior, hold a meeting with student, counselor, parent or guardian to find root causes for correction or the student will be removed.

What we expect from the employer (work) mentor to provide to you:

·      Hold an intake interview with the student to explain job expectations by reviewing the company handbook.

·      Supervisors who understand why you are working for the company and will be willing to mentor you in a positive manner

·      Ensure you understand company or employer policies and procedures

·      Follow fair labor laws including the number of hours worked, and equipment that can or cannot be used, and ensure HIPAA and FERPA compliance occurs.

For Co-op students we expect the employer to follow fair pay and Department of Labor rules and regulations: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/youthlabor

How Do We Monitor and Coach our Students?  
Students will use their phone upon arrival at the jobsite to use a GPS time clock application called TSheets which can be access by their phones or on-site computer. Students will be expected to follow your policy regarding cell phone use.  Students will use the app to log out of the work site.  Our team will follow time logs and contact student and employer of any discrepancies.

Attendance and progress will be reviewed with students biweekly during our status meetings. Students will hand to their ACE Mentor/Career Specialist a Good Standing Report signed by you throughout the semester. This is to insure students are attending and doing what is required. You may address any concerns on this report as well.

Communication with our team is done via email, text or personal phone call as needed.  We will also conduct site visits as necessary.

How do you get credit?

120 work hours = 1 graduation credit.  Currently, the program is “blocked” and special allowances are made for students to work outside the traditional school hours 8 am – 3:30 pm to work up to 240 hours for 2 graduation credits.  Students are expected to follow the school calendar and work a minimum amount of hours needed.  If you exceed the number of hours – this is okay but you will need to continue to attend ACE until the end of the semester.  Only 2 credits per semester can be gained by participating in ACE.

• The ACE Book (https://tinyurl.com/3s8enmma)  has all the documents we use including an explanation of ACE, an academic calendar, as well as the contracts we use. We have hard copies as well.

• The ACE Calendar is our take on the academic calendar modified for ACE. https://tinyurl.com/4eeu2zxd

• Our ACE Notes (https://tinyurl.com/2e4mvr3t) have important information about ACE and have some FAQs. We use it for both mentors and students.

The first two weeks of ACE are our orientation. Along with working with students on career skills, we encourage industry partners to come to speak about careers and internship opportunities. They can speak with students and interview students for internships at the ACE Intern Fair.

• ACE Intern Fair – (https://tinyurl.com/mw9zkfw)

• Plan My Future – On October 18 & 19, we are working on an interactive career fair at the Field of Dreams. If interested in becoming an exhibitor or being involved contact a career member. More information coming soon.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q:  How does ACE communicate the Students?

A:  The BAND App: https://band.us/n/aaa576ObA0Ce2. 

Q:  Who Supervises the Students?

A:  The ACE staff work in partnership with a Jobsite mentor to oversee students. 

Q:  How do Students get to the Jobsite?

A:  ACE students must arrange for their own daily transportation to/from the Jobsite.

Q:  What about Insurance?

A:  ACE students must provide their own medical insurance or purchase school insurance.

Q: When are the students going to start?

A: The goal is to have every student at their placement by the middle of August.

Q: When is the student’s last day?

A: The beginning of December or May depending on the length of their ACE Internship

Q: When are the students going to show up?

A: ACE Calendar- https://tinyurl.com/3btz4nvp

            Students may work when not in school, working out details between site, student, & teacher.

Q: How do students make up hours?

A: Students can make up hours during their free time at the worksite if possible. If not, students have assignments they can work on to make up hours. Students may complete career-oriented assignments as well.

Q: What happens to student?

A: The ACE Team works with you to evaluate why you lost your job.  We coordinate with your guardian and your counselor to develop a plan for finding another job or graduation credit option.

Q: How are students evaluated?

A: Students will provide evidence of time at the employer site such as TSheets electronic time clock or Co-op students provide copies of pay checks to the school mentor or Career Specialist.

A: Evidence must also be provided as to how you are able to manage time balancing your academic and professional life by providing immediate feedback and daily logs (Co-op students are exempt from keeping daily logs).

A: Once a semester mentor evaluation is sent to your employer:  https://tinyurl.com/y9db9eql

Q: Whom do I contact if I and ANY issues or concerns?

A: Any Career Specialist: