In a small, quiet corner-office at the Wenatchee High School Career Center, a new staff member is already hard at work helping to serve the students after arriving only days ago.

Pat Phillips, our new Career Center coordinator has arrived at WHS, filling the opening left by Colleen Parks who accepted a position at the Children’s Home Society.

Some of Phillips’ first impressions of WHS are the energetic students and busy halls resembling a river. “It’s like a salmon trying to swim upstream,” said Phillips, describing the passing time at WHS.

As Phillips starts a new chapter in her career, she becomes part of a new chapter at WHS: a chapter of more vigourous graduation requirements, new schedules and more students than ever who will need Phillips’ help.

“The energy here is great. I am looking forward to working with the students [at WHS],” Phillips said.

Phillips will be here as a resource for students looking to explore careers and higher education. This includes help with college applications as well as job shadowing information. She will also be involved with the Wenatchee Learns program and Career Cruising. The Wenatchee Learns program helps students through career exploration and by connecting them with citizen-student volunteer and mentorship opportunities. Career Cruising creates programs to inform students about possible careers.

Before coming to WHS, Phillips worked on the Wenatchee Valley College campus. Her job at WVC was as an employee for Central Washington University. She served as one of the support personnel and academic advisers for students interested in attending CWU. Phillips maintained that position for six years before she saw the open position for Career Center Coordinator at WHS.