Registration for Cohort 6 is now open! Over the past two Cohorts Capital IDEA Houston has worked with BCCS partners BridgeYear, Houston Community College, Power Up With Mahdi, Fast Forward Analytics, and Harris County Department of Education, as well as JFF for technical assistance, to shift to a 100% virtual program delivery format. Our upcoming Cohort 6 promises to deliver opportunities for Houston's Youth to learn, earn, and connect, as they create a career path toward a high-wage, high-demand career.
Here are answers to our most popular Frequently Asked Questions about the ichoose: Career My Way program.
Registration for Cohort 6 is open!
What does this mean for me and the youth I serve?
Our “Register Now” link is now live.
If you’ve identified youth in your service area who are:
please encourage them to go to www.capitalideahouston.org/ichoosecmw and click “Register Now” to complete their initial registration and schedule an appointment for One-on-One Xperience with Ms. Sharon. Youth must meet all of the criteria listed to be considered eligible for this program.
What does the registration process look like?
This year’s intake and registration process includes a personalized, one-on-one “Xperience” with our ichoose: Career My Way Career Navigator, Ms. Sharon Guillory. Youth will see a calendar with available dates highlighted in blue. Clicking on the date will reveal the available times. They’re required to select a date and a time to schedule a 30-minute conversation with Ms. Sharon. They will also be required to complete a short intake survey where they will provide their name, contact information, and some other required data to facilitate their intake interview.
Once they’ve completed that step and secured their appointment, they will receive an email confirmation.
Within 24 hours of their appointment confirmation, they will also receive a text message with a link to join the ichoose: Career My Way GroupMe group chat. We will be using this group chat to stay in touch with participants, inform them of upcoming appointments and events, and fun activities.
They will receive the details for their Zoom appointment via email, text, and GroupMe.
What if the participant needs to cancel or reschedule their appointment?
We know things happen, and want to encourage positive behaviors and personal responsibility as much as possible. Participants are encouraged to communicate with Ms. Sharon through the Group Me chat, and/or by text. They will have the option to cancel or reschedule their appointment through the confirmation email (links are at the bottom of the confirmation email; just click on the option and follow the instructions). We only ask that cancellation or rescheduling happen at least 24 hours in advance in order to avoid “no call, no shows”.
What happens after their conversation with Ms. Sharon?
Once their intake conversation has concluded, Ms. Sharon will communicate with each individual about whether or not they are approved to start the ichoose: Career My Way program in Cohort 6, and what their next steps are in regard to completing their Registration into the program.
Youth will then receive a “Welcome” email and text message with an invitation to the Cohort 6 Virtual Mixer on Friday, November 13.
This event is a continuation of the Xperience that Cohort participants are required to attend. The youth will meet each other, some of them for the first time, and acclimate to the entire Cohort before journeying into the next five weeks in their Cohort beginning the week of November 16.
What if we’re having issues with technology, or don’t understand what to do?
We’re still learning, and so are you! If you’re having trouble logging in, understanding instructions, or if things aren’t clear and you need help at any point in the journey we encourage you to ask Ms. Sharon in the Group Me chat, or send an email directly to Ms. Sharon- sguillory@capitalideahouston.org .
How can I help support the youth I’m serving while they’re in the ichoose: Career My Way Program?
There are lots of ways you can help:
How long will registration for Cohort 6 be open?
One-On-One Xperience interviews will take place from 9AM on October 19 to 6PM on November 12. There are also Saturday and Sunday appointments available to accommodate work schedules. Anyone interested in joining Cohort 6 is asked to complete their initial registration and schedule their intake interview during these times using the “Register Now” link on the website. The link will be deprecated on November 15, and Ms. Sharon will no longer be available to interview incoming participants for Cohort 6.
Points of contact:
Sharon Guillory, Career Navigator- ichoose: Career My Way
sguillory@capitalideahouston.org
Asa-Mari Z., Programs Specialist
azephirin@capitalideahouston.org
Important Links:
Website & Registration Link: www.capitalideahouston.org/ichoosecmw
Social Media Kit: https://bit.ly/ichoosecmwoutreach
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