4-H Career Explorations
"I feel this experience allowed me to see that I can do it! I can
arrive on a college campus and make friends, learn and be
successful. The whole thought was very daunting but now I’m ready."
About
4-H Career Explorations aims to expand possibilities for youth by connecting them to Cornell University; sparking interests in careers and career pathways; developing academic, leadership, and life skills; and providing opportunities to experience college life.
This is a 3-day conference open to all NYS youth entering 8th grade and up. It includes two program tracks –
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University U: For teens entering 8th grade and up. Youth are introduced to Cornell through campus tours and explore a variety of topics in six different departmental workshops. Youth are randomly assigned to these UU programs.
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Focus for Teens: For teens entering 10th grade and up. Youth spend 3 days with a specific department. Youth select their Focus for Teens programs and programs are filled first-come, first-serve.
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Contact the Event Coordinator with questions and feedback.
Resources to Explore Careers
Cornell Animal Careers site - explore the wide variety of animal-related careers.
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New York State Career Zone- provides interactive help in creating a resume, cover letter, and determining careers that best fit your skills, including the Target Your Interests self-assessment.
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Occupational Outlook Handbook- provides a wealth of knowledge about different careers. Sponsored by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Provides information on average salaries, future job demand, education needed, work locations, personal qualities, similar occupations, and contacts for more information.
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STEM Jobs - Resources for youth exploring careers in STEM
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STEM Jobs in NYS - Fact sheets on STEM job prospects for the state and by region
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Girls and Women in STEM from the Smithsonian Science Education Center
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Discover E - Resources to explore careers in engineering
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Advance CTE - Career and Technical Education resources on Career Clusters, include a student interest survey.
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New York Department of Labor- provides valuable resources for youth who want to become employed in NY. Explains youth protection and labor laws in easy-to-understand terms.
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My Next Move - US Department of Labor career pathway website
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College Board- interactive search for different colleges. Provides tips on applying, financing your education, choosing majors/careers, and taking standardized tests.
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Career One Stop- provides search results for careers, salaries, education, and resumes/interviews. Sponsored by the US Department of Labor.
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Youth Rules! Preparing the 21st Century Workforce - US DOL website provides labor laws for your state, youth worker tool kit, summer jobs, and everything you would need to know in order to work as a young person.