Opening Doors to the Community

Mentors helping students imagine their future

This winter and spring, community mentors worked regularly with dozens of Herndon High School students as they prepared for at-work experiences. For seniors, the crowning experience is an “externship,” in which, for a few weeks before graduation, they work at employers throughout Northern Virginia. 

In 1-on-1 conversations and in small groups, mentors addressed topics like choosing a career, resume writing, networking, getting references, and preparing for the workplace. 

Mentors working with students as they apply for and prepare for at-work experiences

In the final session this spring, we invited a panel of employers to answer questions about internships. The panel included a recent Herndon High School graduate, a moving company executive, a financial planner, a former police officer and lawyer, an Air Force veteran, and a career coach.

The video below contains clips from the panel discussion. Student questions included: How does an internship work? How do I go about networking to find an internship? Should I pursue an experience that reflects my career interests? How should I dress for work?  How should I think about boundaries at work?

Panel discussion on how to prepare for students’ first at-work experience

New for next year! A program we’re calling "Imagining Your Future" 

We invite you to support this program! 

Using what we learned this year, we’re launching Imagining Your Future, which involves 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, and at-work experiences throughout the year – field trips, shadowing, and internships.

Teachers, counselors and coaches are recommending students who would particularly benefit from an additional nonjudgmental, trained adult in their lives. Those recommended are invited to apply. We'll select students based on various factors, including answers to a survey that assesses their confidence in achieving post-graduation career plans.  

We’re using this flyer (2d page) to promote Imagining Your Future to recruit mentors, employers offering at-work experiences and workshops in school, volunteers, and donors.  Learn more at www.imaginingyourfuture.org. 

Tell us if you’re interested in participating, or if you know someone who might be interested! Please also consider donating to support young people as they imagine their future!

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