EFSC TACKLES TEACHER SHORTAGE
EFSC started a new Bachelor ’ s Degree track in Education to tackle a critical shortage of science teachers in grades 6-12 in Brevard Public Schools .
CAREER CENTER
75,000 STUDENTS SERVED
The Career Planning and Development Center reached a significant milestone in serving 75,000 students since it opened in 2011 .
• Students receive services that include Soft Skills Workshops that focus on time management , study skills and workplace etiquette .
• One-on-one sessions center on personal assessment to help determine the best career fit .
• More than 100 companies in Brevard County partner with the Center to provide student internships , with nearly 1,100 provided the past four years .
• The Center implemented a new program called Handshake , which is among the top ways in higher education that students find jobs nationally .
• Students post their resume online where recruiters can review it and reach out to talk with them about an open position .
• Handshake provided the virtual career platform for the Center ’ s first online Job Fair that was attended by top companies in Brevard seeking EFSC students .
• The Center worked with the Enrollment Management team to refer first year students and those who are undeclared to the Center for more intensive assessment of their goals and academic progress .
• Classes in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Science Teacher Education - Biology Teacher specialization began in the Fall Term in August .
• The program is the result of a close partnership between the college and BPS to create a steady stream of new teachers to replace growing numbers who are retiring or leaving the profession .
• The college hopes to expand the science teacher program in the coming years to include Bachelor ’ s Degree specializations in chemistry , physics , Earth and space sciences , plus a track for middle school science teachers .
• District wide , BPS officials say they need dozens of new science teachers annually .
• “ We consistently look for local candidates to add to our experienced teaching staff , and this new degree from EFSC will make it easier to go from being a college student to a high school teacher . When those students graduate from EFSC , they will have a job offer from BPS ,” said Dr . Mark Mullins , BPS Superintendent .
• Dr . Jim Richey said the degree is another in a wide range of new and expanding programs to meet specific local workforce needs , including healthcare , aerospace , high tech and advanced manufacturing .
• “ The college and BPS are deeply committed to providing a high-quality education to members of our community . This new degree is especially important and we ’ re eager to get it started ,” said Richey .
• The Biology teacher degree coursework includes an internship and other hands-on teaching opportunities in middle or high school classrooms .
• The program is the 25th Bachelor ’ s Degree track at EFSC since the college began offering four-year degrees in 2013 . The other tracks are in Business , Healthcare and Computer Technology .
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