PURPOSE: Exploring is the premier career-awareness program for high school students in New York City. By opening the doors of businesses, non-profit organizations and law enforcement agencies to young people, the program gives them first-hand information about what specific careers actually entail. They learn what they like and don't like and the education they will need to succeed. This helps them sustain the motivation to achieve their goals.
MISSION STATEMENT: To enable young people to become responsible individuals by teaching positive character traits, career development, leadership and life skills so they can make ethical choices and achieve their full potential.
HOW IT WORKS: High schools students fill out a career interest survey indicating fields of interest such as IT, marketing or law. The Exploring staff connect the students to businesses in their preferred fields. Participating businesses agree to host students in groups of 15-25 (whatever size is manageable) at four or more sessions held at the businesses after school from about 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.
GET INVOLVED: Host organizations, provide the meeting space, recruit staff volunteers and work with the Exploring team to develop a program agenda. Staff members at the businesses explain what they do as well as the backgrounds and experience their company's look for, and answer questions. Most arrange projects to provide hands-on experience. Explorers may participate in investment contests or mock courts, develop marketing plans for new products or put together a special edition of a newspaper.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: To participate in a program you should be willing and able to host an after school program at your organization. Hosting a program has its benefits including but not limited to, fostering a team atmosphere among volunteer employees, raising community awareness, and allowing staff volunteers to impact the lives of the young men and women attending in a positive and meaningful way.
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