Westside High School Launches Career Readiness Program

Students can now solve real-world business challenges to earn internships and cash rewards through this new local initiative.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Secondary Education

Screen-print poster illustration of a wooden bridge model, representing educational career development and professional connection. — Westside High School has introduced a career readiness program in Omaha, allowing students to tackle professional business challenges for internships and rewards. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Westside High School has launched a career initiative connecting local students with industry challenges. The program, hosted at the newly opened Olson Family Foundation College, Career and Life Readiness Center, aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional opportunities.

Why it matters

These programs directly link students to potential employers and college pathways by providing hands-on experience with real-world business problems. For families, this represents a shift toward more integrated workforce development within the local school district.

The program utilizes a structure where teams of two to four students work to solve industry-provided business challenges. Westside Community Schools is the inaugural district involved in this specific program facilitated by the Greater Omaha Chamber.

The players

Westside High School

The local secondary school that serves as the hub for student career readiness and hosts the new Readiness Center.

Greater Omaha Chamber

The regional business advocacy organization leading the effort to connect local students with industry opportunities.

Symphony Workforce

The professional entity that operates the Find the Why! program for students.

The details

Industry partners provide active business challenges that student teams must research and resolve. By simulating professional environments, students develop skills that can lead to direct rewards, such as internships or cash prizes, upon completing successful projects for these partners.

Monday, October 26, 2026: Westside High School hosted the career event.

The Home Front

This program reflects a broader trend of school districts integrating professional workforce development directly into the high school campus. It marks a shift from traditional vocational training to collaborative, project-based partnerships between local students and private industry.

Families with students at Westside High School should keep an eye on upcoming school newsletters for information on how to register teams for future industry challenges. If your student is interested in participating, consider reviewing current industry career paths to help them prepare for upcoming problem-solving sessions.

The takeaway

Students now have a direct pathway to internships and cash rewards through project-based collaboration with local industry. Parents can encourage their students to check the resources available at the Olson Family Foundation College, Career and Life Readiness Center to explore these opportunities.