Exploring possible careers and learning how to prepare for the future was the Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development program taught to 121 sophomore high school students from McCook & Southwest Public Schools on Sept 27, 2023. On September 26, an additional 103 freshman & sophomore students from Medicine Valley, Maywood, Hayes Center & Wauneta/Palisade also attended the Connect the Dots program. Members of the Statewide Nebraska Extension Career & College Success Team brought the 4-H youth development program “Connect the Dots” to southwest Nebraska.
This interactive career exploration simulation program is designed to help ninth/tenth grade students learn more about careers of interest as well as how to “connect the dots” from ninth grade through postsecondary study to the workplace. The 6-hour program was held during the school day at the Curtis Memorial Community Center and at the McCook High School Gym.
Each day over 20 local employers and/or college/ military recruiters volunteered their time to represent the 16 “Career Clusters” & engaged with the students during the morning simulation. In the afternoon Nebraska Extension staff used “Personality in the Workplace” and “Motivational Skill” kits to help students learn about their own personalities, what motivates them, & why their skills and personalities are important in the workplace.
High school students enjoyed the event and discovered several things. Student comments included:
· “I liked meeting new people!”
· “I enjoyed learning what careers there are and what they pay.”
· “I liked exploring the different fields and learning about scholarships and colleges.”
School staff & administration value this Connect the Dots program because:
· “The program gives the students a great opportunity to see great careers everywhere. It’s a great day for them to think about life after school.”
· “It gets the kids out & talking with professionals. It helps the kids to understand the process of what can happen after high school. I will take the interview and handshake activity back to my classroom.”
· “This program helps our students and me (as a guidance counselor). I will continue to bring my students and encourage other schools to take their students!”
· “It has great info and engaging activities! As a guidance counselor the program reinforces the info I teach.”
· “The program is a great way for students to hear about college and future careers.”
· “Great opportunity! Provides info to the students for them to start thinking about they want to do.”
· “Opens student’s minds to the possibilities. I will use the day to further explore careers options and the path to get there with my students.”
· “Gets kids excited to think about their future. I will use the info to relate real life occupations to the areas we study.”
· “The Connect the Dots program gets community people involved with the students as they learn about their future options.”
Nebraska Extension would like to THANK all the employers that represented the 16 career clusters each day! Also THANK YOU to the Connect the Dot sponsors- City of Curtis, Community First Bank in Maywood, Western Nebraska Bank in Curtis, Medicine Valley Chamber of Commerce, Frontier County 4-H Council, Pinnacle Bank, Hayes Center, Sandhills State Bank, Wauneta, NE, Hayes County 4-H Council & McCook Public Schools . Each of these businesses or groups provided money to bring the Nebraska Extension Career & College Success Team to area!
