Over the past five weeks, thirteen youth have been learning about different career paths- Short term Training leading to Employment, Apprenticeship or Earn & Learn Opportunities, and Post Secondary Education through a Capital IDEA Houston sponsorship. ichoose: Career My Way Cohort 4 began with a Virtual One-on-One Xperience in the last weeks of June 2020. Houston's Youth ages 18 - 24 who'd graduated from High School but who weren't connected to post-secondary education were invited to sign up for a conversation where they discussed their career aspirations with Career Navigator Sharon Guillory to decide if the five-week career exploration program would be a good fit for them. Once accepted into the program, the Youth then came together for a Virtual Mixer on June 26th to meet each other and to hear from Capital IDEA Houston's Executive Director, Michelle Paul, and other Capital IDEA Houston Staff.
Each week during the 2 hour a day, 2 days a week commitment, community partners such as Workforce Solutions, The Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA), NABTU MC3 Apprenticeship Program through Houston's Gulf Coast Building And Construction Trades Council, Meraki Solar Solutions, and program partners Houston Community College and BridgeYear, presented their programs and offered insight and advice to program participants, teaching them about different resources to help them decide which career path is most suitable. Participants have also been learning "Value Lessons" in the form of improving their communication with program partner Power Up With Mahdi, hosted by founder Berwick Mahdi Davenport, and taking multiple assessments to help them learn and understand their natural abilities, and assist with their decision making process.
A highlight of the program is participants being able to test drive different careers in the healthcare and construction fields through the use of Career Test Drive® Kits from program partner, BridgeYear. As COVID-19 forced schools to adapt to new learning environments, teachers and counselors needed access to engaging curriculum and students needed help navigating post secondary options. To meet this demand, BridgeYear's Career Test Drive® Kits provide participants the ability to explore high-growth, high demand careers at home, with or without an internet connection, through hands-on, guided simulations. Kits were mailed directly from BridgeYear to each participant's home. Participants were then guided through video and written instructions, and provided with technical assistance, to complete activities relevant to the chosen career. Each kit provides two careers from which to choose, and participants were excited to document their experience and share with the group.
ichoose: Career My Way Cohort 4 will officially come to a close on Tuesday, August 4 via a Virtual Graduation Celebration. Program participants will celebrate with staff, family, community partners, and friends, share which career path they've selected, and continue to receive career navigation support as they transition into their chosen path to realize their career goals.
Registration for Cohort 5 begins on August 19, 2020. To schedule your One-on-one Xperience with Ms. Guillory, REGISTER NOW.
