DAVID MAMARIL HOROWITZ

david.horowitz@bgdailynews.com

 

With her sister making a career of the military, and her brother running the family farm, Holly Whittinghill, a Greenwood High School  educator of more than two decades, has long known that successful careers can look very different.

As the school’s college and career coach of about six years, Whittinghill takes that philosophy with her as she helps students plan their paths forward.

Last month, Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College honored Whittinghill with the prestigious Pathfinder Award, presented to high school counselors and teachers for their commitment to guiding students in academic and career planning. About 250 nominations were entered into the competition, for which the Kentucky Community & Technical College System’s 16 institutions each nominated one individual.

“Educators like Ms. Whittinghill play a critical role in shaping the futures of our young people, ensuring they are equipped for success in higher education, their careers, and the community at large,” SKyCTC Interim President Dr. Brooke Justice said in a statement.

Whittinghill works mostly with juniors and seniors to help them explore careers, colleges or military branches for post-graduation. She’ll set up meetings, they’ll go to businesses and college campuses, and they’ll set up one-on-ones to plan next steps. The nearest event is Friday, where she’ll take 35-40 seniors to a hiring fair with 20 local businesses that have positions available for entry-level workers, such as M&L Electrical Inc., Graves Gilbert Clinic and Med Center Health.

Whittinghill, who taught business at the school for 20 years, encourages them to think wide about their futures.

“I think it’s important to know that it’s not a one-size-fits-all as far as education or a job goes for students,” she said. “It’s important to meet the students where they are, and then help them plan what are the next steps, and where they are isn’t always the same.”

For her, it’s fulfilling — and regardless a student’s plan, once they have a plan forward, it’ll fill her with excitement.

“I think that’s important for us as educators: to be happy for a student’s path even if it’s not a traditional path,” she said. “Probably the biggest thing I’ve learned from students is that they love to see someone being happy for them — anybody in the building …

“When they see that someone is genuinely very happy for what they’re going to do next, they light up.”