2019 Sophomore Summit: Exploring Pathways to Prosperity

Hundreds of high school sophomores from across Windham County will participate in the Sophomore Summit, the largest career awareness, exploration and planning event of the year, on Wednesday, April 10. With over 30 different employers and organizations represented, students can see the variety of opportunity in their own backyards and the pathways to get there. The day-long Summit is designed to help students better understand career options and the pathways to reach them. Students will attend two, hour-long workshops from a list of 14 different career and industry pathways based on their interests, aptitudes, and professional aspirations. Workshops are being held at SIT Graduate Institute and throughout the community, including tours of C&S Wholesale Grocers, Fulflex Manufacturing, Shear Designs Hair Studio, and the Brattleboro Police Department. Workshops at SIT include "Healing & Helping: Social Services and Healthcare," "Caring for Kids: Early Childhood Education with Let's Grow Kids," "Think it, Draw it, Build it: Construction, Architecture, & Trades," and more. Led by Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC), the Sophomore Summit planning committee includes representatives from Youth Services, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, and the four participating supervisory unions. Last year, the event provided students insight into careers they are already attracted to: "I learned that owning your own restaurant is not as easy as it seems," said one participant.\Many students who are undecided about a career path appreciated the diverse perspectives at the Summit: "I learned that most people did not know what they want to do when they grow up. They know the ballpark, but they usually come across a job they really enjoy as they are exploring." Students praised the value of hearing directly about options available to them, and the encouragement to keep growing: "I learned that there are many branches to a job ... and that you are never stuck with a job, you can always change your mind." The event is supported by BDCC's Southern Vermont Workforce Center of Excellence in partnership with the McClure Foundation, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, Youth Services, and C&S Wholesale Grocers.