Each summer, students return to school ready to answer that classic first-week question:
“What did you do this summer?”
For dozens of Baltimore City middle school students, their answers will be anything but typical:
- “I toured M&T Bank Stadium.”
- “I talked to journalists and directors at Maryland Public Television.”
- “I learned about technology and how it has evolved from the experts.”
- “I used AI to dream about my future!”
These moments came courtesy of Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS) Middle School Exploration Camp, a four-week STEM-focused experience designed to expose students to real-world careers and help them connect school to life and build confidence in their futures, hosted at Hampden Elementary Middle and National Academy Foundation (NAF) schools.
Throughout July, students visited workplaces like Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), Maryland Public Television (MPT), M&T Bank Stadium and the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, participating in tours of the facilities and hands-on projects that help them to visualize themselves in a professional environment. MBRT aims to increase student awareness of diverse career pathways and postsecondary opportunities by engaging middle school students in immersive college and career experiences. Providing direct connections between students and professionals in high-growth industries, like healthcare and STEM careers, helps foster critical thinking, problem-solving and career readiness skills through hands-on engagement. MBRT is proud to support Baltimore City Public Schools in advancing equity and access to meaningful career experiences.
The MBRT’s business community played a key role in turning this summer experience into a resounding success. Professionals donated their time to help students explore the world of work by sharing their stories. Students explored career opportunities in tech, energy, finance, and sports management, opening their eyes to paths they hadn’t imagined before.
Why It Matters
Middle school is a critical development window in a student’s life. They begin forming career interests, building social skills, and imagining who they want to become. Programs like MBRT’s Career Exploration Camp help anchor those dreams in reality—and show students they don’t have to wait until high school to begin planning for success.
- 90% of students said they felt more confident about their future.
- 95% learned about postsecondary options beyond a four-year degree.
- 75% said they’d recommend the camp to a friend.
Building Maryland’s future-ready workforce – Whether you’re a small business owner, a corporate leader, or a STEM professional, you can help shape the future:
- Increase student awareness of your industry
- Build durable skills like communication and problem-solving
- Strengthen your company’s talent pipeline
- Make a meaningful impact in the life of a young person
Together, we can ensure every Maryland student has the opportunity to design and prepare for their future. Visit mbrt.org/partner to get started.
