The NAF Academy (National Academy Foundation) is a nation-wide program available to high school students wishing to explore specific professional career opportunities.  The local NAF Academy is discussed by the Burbank USD NAF Director, Alyson Edge, and is joined on this podcast with the Burbank USD NAF Advisory Board Chair, Cynthia Wagner.  They are interviewed by Armando Salcido as he finds out which careers are covered through the NAF Academy, the classes that students take in each of the academies and the hands-on, practical skills that they learn about working in each of those specific fields.  Armando, Alyson and Cynthia also discuss the general information students learn regarding what it takes to land a job, hold a job and be successful in a job.  These include skills like resume writing, interviewing skills, punctuality, responsibility, personal presentation and reliability, among others.  The NAF Director, Alyson Edge, explains what is covered in each of the academies - the Business Academy, Engineering Academy and Medical Academy.  Cynthia Wagner, the NAF Board Chair, explains how community members can become involved with helping students acquire the skills necessary for success in their chosen field. 

Student participation in the NAF Academy is a four year commitment (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th) and students usually sign up in January of the 8th grade, while in middle school.  If there are openings available in the NAF Academy those openings will be made available to students in the 9th grade and sometimes even in the 10th grade but usually all spaces are filled with the incoming 9th grade class.  Therefore, it is recommended that students learn about and sign up for the NAF Academy while in middle school so that they can get the most benefit from the NAF Academy in high school by being enrolled a full four years.

Visit the Burbank USD NAF website:  https://www.burbankusd.org/naf.  Get information on each of the academies or learn how to contact the Director, the Advisory Chair, or any other personnel involved with the NAF Academy.

In the podcast it is mentioned that the NAF Academy partners with the City of Burbank’s CREST Youth Employment program, which offers students ages 16 - 17 paid employment in which they receive job skills training as well as on-the-job training within a City of Burbank Department.  This is a link to information about that program: (https://www.burbankca.gov/web/management-services/crest-youth-employment).  The City of Burbank’s STEP program, which offers youth summer employment is also mentioned.  This is a link to more information about the STEP program:  https://www.burbankca.gov/web/management-services/step-youth-employment

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