Beginning this 2016-2017 school year, Benicia High School introduced a new class, iQuest, under the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department.
The iQuest curriculum provides enrolled high school seniors with an opportunity to explore careers in the community. Students select their career passion and seek out sponsors to provide an internship during the school year, where they will spend a minimum of three hours a week in the field. For the two hours spent in the classroom each week, workshops and guest speakers will be provided to further facilitate seniors’ transition into the career world. College and Career Counselor Lisa Douglass will be also be assisting students with their internship opportunities, as well as narrowing down the colleges best suited for their area of passion.
Teaching the iQuest class is CTE department chair Annette Fewins. As Fewins stated, the iQuest program is a great opportunity for students to explore their career passions. She first heard about the class last year through Benicia High’s then-interim principal, Mark Corti, who worked at California High School in San Ramon, where the course originated three years ago. After visiting Cal High to watch the iQuest students’ end of year presentations, Fewins realized this program would be perfect for Benicia High seniors.
Thanks to the hard work and determination of both Ms. Fewins and Ms. Douglass, Benicia High began offering iQuest as a class the very next year. It proved to be a popular choice. The class filled up quickly and now boasts 24 enthusiastic students. BHS Principal Brianna Kleinschmidt says she is excited the high school is offering the class, as it will allow students to explore a career they’re interested in outside of the classroom, as well as bring back what they learned to share with others.
Local businesses that have already offered support for the program include Coldwell Banker, Solano Pacific Realty of Benicia, Benicia Police Department, Solano Family Dentistry, Redwood Veterinary Clinic, Accu-Bove, Benicia Health and Fitness, and Gizzi and Reep, LLP.
Benicia High senior and iQuest student Andrea Wilson was able to begin her internship this summer at Coldwell Banker. “When we realized that our company’s social media endeavors were less than adequate, we were extremely fortunate to hire Andrea Wilson, a participant in Benicia High School’s iQuest program, and she immediately set about upgrading our web presence with programs such as Facebook and LinkedIn,” Coldwell CEO Richard Bortolazzo said.
While the majority of students have been placed, internships are still needed, especially in the medical field. For further questions, or if you are interested in hosting an intern, please contact Ms. Fewins at afewins@beniciaunified.org.

Jasmine Weis is a senior at Benicia High School

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