BURLINGTON — Students and families from across Vermont are invited to the Davis Center at the University of Vermont (UVM) for College & Career Pathways on Saturday. Organized by VSAC, College & Career Pathways is a free event to help high school students, family members, and guardians discover resources and connect with local experts.
“Nearly every high-wage, high-demand job in Vermont requires education or training beyond high school. Engaging students in the great variety of opportunities available to them helps them find their own path, and grow into fulfilling careers,” noted Scott Giles, VSAC President and CEO. “Ultimately, we want to empower students and families with the knowledge they need to navigate college or training after high school.”
The first hour of the event, from 1 – 2 p.m., is dedicated to a resource fair, where more than 25 navigators will be on hand. Rep. Jill Krowinski, Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives, will deliver welcome remarks at 2 p.m. Then participants will choose from a menu of a dozen workshops presented by VSAC’s expert outreach counselors and other professionals from around the region:
The College Search: Finding the Right Fit – Matt “Beagle” Bourgault, VSAC Talent Search Director
Navigating the College Search for Students Who Learn Differently – Sydney Ruff, Senior Director of Admissions, Landmark College
Strategies for the ACT and SAT – Matthew Shagam, Tutor
Supporting Your Teen’s Career Search – Kathi Terami, Executive Director, Careers CLiC
Apprenticeship Opportunities – Zach Johnston, Project Coordinator, Vermont State University Apprenticeship Programs & Christopher Laflam, Vermont Department of Labor – Workforce Development
Managing Education and Training Costs – Kate Rowland, VSAC Outreach Counselor
MyFutureVT: Your Guide to Success After High School – Tom Cheney, Executive Director, Advance Vermont
Navigating the Admissions Process – Jack Lareau, Assistant Director of Admissions, Vermont State University & Anna Dechert, Senior Associate Director of Admissions, Dartmouth College
I Wish I Knew That! Programs to Pursue Before You Graduate – Amy Dodge, Post-Secondary Programs Coordinator, Vermont Agency of Education
Scholarships: Free Money – Jimmy Clark, VSAC Outreach Counselor
Take a Gap Year: How to Build an Intentional Path to Your Future – Julia Rogers, President Emeritus, Gap Year Association
Writing the Admissions Essay – Carrie Pratt, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions, University of Vermont
Anna Telensky, VSAC Special Events Coordinator, said, “Students could think of it like a crash course in ‘what’s next.’ Important pieces that you need to think about as a 9th, 10th, or 11th grader will be in one place. Every person in the room wants to see you succeed.”
Students and families may participate in the March 14 event in person at UVM or virtually via Zoom. For more information or to register for College & Career Pathways at UVM on Saturday, March 14, visit vsac.org/ccp.
