The Foreign Service Journal, June 2018

80 JUNE 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT of the Building Arts is one example. Located in Charles- ton, South Carolina, ACBA was created out of necessity in 1999, when the commu- nity experienced a lack of skilled workers to repair themany historical buildings destroyed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. According to its website, the mission of ACBA is to “educate and train artisans in the traditional building arts, to foster exceptional craftsmanship and encour- age the preservation, enrichment and understanding of the world’s architectural heritage through a liberal arts education.” Twenty-six of the 32 students who gradu- ated between 2015 and 2017 are employed in their field of study. A head start on career trainingmight be just the ticket for the curious Foreign Service student. Many public high schools in the United States offer academies or spe- cialized programs that feature courses for students interested in preparing themselves (both academically and through hands-on training) for their career of choice. Enrolling in specialized classes gives students a chance to learn from business leaders while exploring firsthand all of what a career entails. Stu- dents might also consider apprenticeship programs for highly skilled occupations that combine supervised, paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Students interested in vocational tech- nical options should think carefully about their living arrangements. In contrast with traditional four-year colleges, community colleges and technical schools often do not offer dormitories, social activities or meal plans for students. New Trends, Old Models In whatever manner parents choose to guide their children, it is important to prepare them to address the recurrent Continued from page 76 This path to remunerative employment is typically faster and targeted to a specific career.