CAREER & COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM

Build Your Future is a weeklong summer career and college readiness workshop series designed to help students build the confidence, skills, and preparation needed to navigate life after high school with greater clarity and intention. Through hands-on support in college essay writing, resume and cover letter development, interview preparation, and honest conversations about what college is really like, students create practical resources they can immediately use for their future. By the end of the program, students walk away with stronger written materials and samples, greater confidence in presenting themselves, a clearer understanding of postsecondary pathways, and the belief that they are capable of taking meaningful steps toward their goals.

COLLEGE ESSAY DEVELOPMENT - PART I

Students begin taking ownership of their personal story while thinking intentionally about how they want to present themselves in college applications. Students learn how to understand college essay prompts, identify meaningful life experiences, and narrow broad ideas into a specific personal story.

✔     College Application & Prompt Breakdown - Students review sample college prompts from institutions such as CU, DU, and MSU to better understand what applications are asking for.

✔     What Stories Stand Out? - Students reflect what makes one student’s story memorable and how personal experiences can show growth, insight, and leadership.

✔     Topic Formation Exercise - Students brainstorm possible essay topics based on defining moments, challenges, accomplishments, identity, family, leadership, or personal growth.

✔     Story-Narrowing Activity - Students choose one topic and begin narrowing it into a focused essay concept with a clear direction.

COLLEGE ESSAY DEVELOPMENT - PART II

Students move from topic development into essay drafting. The focus is on structure, voice, emotional clarity, specificity, and connecting personal experience to growth. Because essays may involve personal or vulnerable stories, feedback is mentor-based rather than peer-based.

✔     Mini-Lesson on Essay Structure - Students learn how to build a strong opening, organize their story, and connect their experience to reflection and growth.

✔     Opening Line Development - Students practice writing several possible opening lines to explore tone, voice, and direction.

✔     Guided Writing Time - Students begin drafting their personal statement or college essay using the topic developed on Monday.

RESUME AND COVER LETTER DEVELOPMENT

Students learn how to create professional application materials for internships, nonprofit roles, leadership programs, jobs, and other career-building opportunities.

✔     Resume & Cover Letter Drafting - Students begin building or revising a resume using a provided template as well as a flexible cover letter they can later customize for specific opportunities.

✔     Responsible AI Guidance - Students learn how AI can support brainstorming and editing without replacing their own voice, experience, or original thought.

INTERVIEW READY - PRESENTING YOURSELF WITH CONFIDENCE

Students apply the materials and skills developed throughout the week by preparing for and participating in mock interviews. This session helps students become more comfortable with interview expectations, professional presentation, body language, and verbal communication.

WHAT THEY DON’T TELL YOU ABOUT IN COLLEGE

Students gain a more honest and practical understanding of what college is actually like. This session focuses on real-life preparation, including budgeting, time management, professors, office hours, independence, and asking for help.

✔     Coffee & Tea-Style College Conversation - Students participate in an informal online conversation about the realities of college life beyond admissions such as budgeting, working, roommate concerns, activities, professor expectations, etc.