PENCIL relies on individuals to provide support for high-quality engagements with high school students. There are many ways to lend us your time, energy, passion, and expertise!
Below are few specific upcoming opportunities to volunteer. If these dates don’t work for you or if you are interested in learning about additional opportunities please contact Angelie Singla, LMSW, VP of Growth asingla@pencil.org for more information.
Thank you for your interest in PENCIL!
PENCIL Career Explorers Overview
Each Summer, PENCIL supports a cohort of students engaged in A paid work-based learning experience designed to promote career awareness, exploration and preparation. Students in the PENCIL Career Explorers Program are paired with a professional mentor to provide regular guidance and feedback, as well as create networking and other career exploration opportunities. Each student will complete an industry-specific capstone project under the guidance of a professional mentor who can provide technical expertise and experience to inform and guide their work.
Students and mentors will function as members of an industry cohort, and have opportunities throughout the program to connect, share experiences and support each student’s project development. Students work under the supervision of PENCIL staff who connect with students daily to provide support and ensure they meet all deadlines and deliverables, as well as organize cohort-wide networking activities and career readiness workshops.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Schedule: Career Explorers takes place over a six-week period from July 1st to August 9th. Students complete 25 hours of synchronous and asynchronous activities each week and are paid $16 per hour.
Mentor Commitments: Mentors are asked to dedicate two hours to the career Explorers Program including a weekly 30 to 45 minute ‘face-to-face’ check in with their student, Participation in weekly 60-minute cohort activities, and response to student outreach (email, text, call) between mentoring sessions. Mentors are also asked to connect their student to professionals in their network to support the collaboration component of their individual projects and career exploration activities across the cohort.
Capstone Projects: PENCIL staff will work with each student and their mentor to tailor their project to reflect both the student’s specific learning goals and the mentor’s areas of expertise. Each capstone project represents approximately 12 hours of independent work and is defined by:
2024 Cohorts Industries Include: Law, Business, Finance, Technology, & Healthcare
Cohort Activities: Each industry cohort will participate in weekly activities developed and facilitated by PENCIL staff to promote industry exploration, skill building, network development, and in-person Enrichment Days.
*Career Explorers Program is primarily virtual.