As students sit in the career center with questions about their next steps after high school, Trisha Oksner, the AGHS Career Center Technician, is excitedly helping students figure out what they want to do and how to do it.
As the Career Center Technician, Oksner helps guide students, is passionate about helping students navigate their college and career paths, and is dedicated to providing guidance and resources to help them achieve their goals. This has not gone unnoticed, and led Oksner to win an award, Classified Employee of the Year.
“It felt exceptionally validating and humbling,” Oksner said. “I work in the Classified Employee union, which is made up of custodians, secretaries, food service workers, the unsung heroes who keep our schools running. To have been selected among such an outstanding group of people there really are no words. I am very grateful to be recognized.”
Before coming to AGHS, Oksner was the Career Center Technician for Nipomo High School and Central Coast New Tech High School [NHS and CCNTHS] for 5 years and was able to learn more about how to help students in their paths after high school.
“When I started in 2019 at [NHS and CCNTH], I was given a lot of space to grow in the position,” Oksner said. “I guess I am a workaholic and I went way above and beyond what was expected. It helped that I really enjoy what I do and I am a lifelong learner, so I wanted to learn as much as I could. The more I learned, the more I jumped in and did.”
Even though she loved being at NHS, Oksner took the opportunity to become the Career Center Technician at AGHS for a few reasons: an easier commute, her son being a sophomore here, and wanting to be a part of the nest.
“It was really hard to leave my kids at Nipomo,” Oksner said. “I was so close to my kids. The truth is, there’s kids that need guidance and help everywhere.”
Seeing that students need a lot of help, Oksner began going to classes to inform students about the career center and what their next steps will be.
“A lot of students don’t know that I’m there,” Oksner said. “So they should know to come if they have questions and are not sure about their plan. I’m trying to do presentations on how to plan for college and career.”
If you ever need help with anything college or career related, or just want someone to talk to about what to do after high school, make sure to visit the career center in room 208.
