In Island Trees, a whole new world of career opportunities is opening up for students. Through the Island Trees Schools Advisory Board for Industry and Technology (ITSABIT), students are learning how to easily transition from school to a career track, whether they plan to attend college or not. In fact, the board's primary mission is "to help our students better prepare for the business world" and "to provide our student with the knowledge and training so they can get the job."

ITSABIT is designed specifically to benefit students in the Island Trees School District. Carol Siegel, an Island Trees teacher, first fostered the idea of prepping students for the working world in her Career Advantage class. Through Career Advantage, Siegel has exposed students to different careers and working environments, and has also focused on "getting the job" tips and techniques, such as interviewing strategies, dressing for success and even demonstrating "how to tie a tie." However, Career Advantage was only the springboard to creating ITSABIT, an even broader community-based program to fully prepare students for the world of work.

As a community effort, ITSABIT works with local businesses to help students get internships, job opportunities and possibly find a specific career track to follow after high school. Comprised of teachers, business owners, parents and students, the ITSABIT promotes cooperation between the working world and school.

Exposing students to the business world is the ITSABIT's number one priority. Through cooperative work experiences, school-to-industry partnerships, and internships, the ITSABIT prepare students for life beyond high school. In addition, the group regularly plans guest speakers, field trips and events to raise money for the program and to allow students to meet professionals in the business world. For example, seniors Brianne Lever and Ricky Bailey worked as production assistants for an independent film by Jeff Stangler called Love Gets You Twisted. They were involved in the filming of the opening sequence, which will be screened in Manhattan in July. Additionally, local businesses such as hotels, major retailers and Newsday offer field trips of their facilities so that students can learn all the types of jobs available in one place, from administrative, accounting and managerial positions to positions such as chefs, housekeeping and clothes buyers. Many students are not aware of the numerous prospects that are available to them in the working world. The ITSABIT's goal is to open the doors to these opportunities for all students.

Although ITSABIT is geared toward aiding Island Trees students, it is unique in that it is really community-sponsored, rather than school-sponsored. Local businesses and parents are key supporters in order for ITSABIT to flourish and truly meet its mission objectives. For next year, the board is even looking to get members of the Nassau Council of Chambers and possibly the Long Island Industrial Association involved in the program, in addition to the Levittown Chamber of Commerce. Currently, the following businesses are actively involved on the advisory board: Promo Plus, learningsuite.com., Century 21-Kaufman Realty, Astoria Federal Bank, Thomas Dalton Funeral Homes and North Fork Bank.

School-to-Career programs are essential in preparing students for the increasingly challenging business world of the 21st century. As a result, many communities across Long Island have implemented similar programs. After all, the students of today are our future - the workers of tomorrow.

To learn more about ITSABIT or to find out how you and/or your business could get involved in the program, please contact Carol Siegel at Island Trees High School.