Free Summer Career-Explore Program for Low-Income Youth
Parkland College will provide free career-explorational sessions for high school students through Summer Start 2024.
Parkland College will provide free career-explorational sessions for current high school students through its Summer Start 2024 program at the campus.
Funded through grants from the Illinois Community College Board’s Innovative Bridge and Transition Program and the federal Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund, Summer Start helps prepare low-income, first-generation-college, and minority high school students for successful passage to college and career.
Summer Start 2024 Session One will run June 3–13, and Session Two will run June 17–27. Students may only participate in one session per summer. Morgann Quilty, director of the Parkland College Learning Commons, said the meets an important need in District 505 communities.
"We recognize that there are students and their families in our community who have had limited experience with higher education and may not be aware of the value and career opportunities that can be found by pursuing a college experience," Quilty said. "These sessions connect students with career demonstrations and help them learn the skills they need to be successful in college."
Student participants will take career assessments, explore careers through guest speakers and interactive experiences, learn computer literacy using laptops they can keep, and receive academic support services along with a stipend to help offset loss of income from summer jobs.
Sessions for both programs will run 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and include a light breakfast and lunch. MTD vouchers will be available for students who need help reaching campus.
Students interested in participating are encouraged to apply; priority will be given to DREAAM program participants, students on the free and reduced lunch program, or recommendations from high school counselors. Spaces are limited.
Families may visit the Summer Start application page to apply to the program. Please visit parkland.edu/careerexploration or email pce@parkland.edu for more information.