Rationale for a GO Center

Implementation of a GO Center has the potential for increasing student life role aspirations and expectations, slowing the drop out rate, providing exposure to existing educational and work programs, giving individuals career information on which to base their career decisions, relating instruction to expected career outcomes, encouraging the appropriate placement of all students and facilitating the accountability for career guidance and counseling programs.  The services provided by a GO Center should be designed to complement the academic and vocational preparation of students.  Specifically Georgia schools may enhance this interlocking process by doing the following things:
 

• Providing up-to-date occupational information.
• Helping individuals use GO Center resources to achieve their goals.
• Promoting thoughtful career planning and decision making.
• Assisting students in assessing and understanding their personal attitudes, values, interests, and aptitudes.
• Fostering the integration of career development activities into classroom instruction.
• Providing a delivery system for career counseling services.
• Preparing individuals for life role transitions and life-long learning.
• Providing a setting where students can feel comfortable in sharing their interests and concerns in a non-threatening environment.
• Motivating at-risk, handicapped and disadvantaged youth.

A GO Center provides the opportunity for many individuals to be served at one time.  Therefore, it can be a cost-effective team approach to providing career guidance.  The center can become a vital educational method of providing information and services in an integrated fashion to all Georgia middle and high school students to promote their development in positive directions.   

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