On Wednesday, June 16, 2021, recent graduates from Cambridge-South Dorchester, Colonel Richardson, Kent County, North Caroline and Wicomico high schools attended NextGEN NextLEVEL, an event hosted by the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) and designed to inspire and lead its Next Generation Scholars into their young adult life. Nearly three-quarters of attendees (74%) were headed to college, while 5% had plans to enter the workforce and 21% were still undecided about their next step.
To assist those Next Generation Scholars still deciding their post-graduation path, NextGEN NextLEVEL hosted a career fair with local businesses and colleges that offered employment, apprenticeship and enrollment opportunities on the spot.
“I was able to network with the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay and was offered a job position,” said Jawan Justice, a graduate of Wicomico High School with sights set on owning his own restaurant in the future.
Brandon Myers, a graduate of Kent County High School who plans to attend Millersville University in the fall, learned at the fair that he could earn credits before starting college. “The Wor-Wic Community College [representative] really helped me because I never knew that I could take summer classes for credit that would help me in the future,” he said.
The summer program also provided an opportunity to bridge any gaps created by the pandemic in a fun and useful way. MBRT held several interactive workshops throughout the day that focused on education, career, lifehacks and self-exploration. The most-attended session was “What to Do When Your Check Engine Light Turns On” followed by “Secrets to Surviving on Your Own”; “Moving on Up: Strategies to Rock your Job and Get Promoted”; and “Apprenticeships & Internships: Tell Me the Facts.”
During lunch, DJ Heat not only provided musical entertainment but also spoke to NextGEN NextLEVEL attendees about her education and career path. The day concluded with a diversity, equity and inclusion session to promote understanding and acceptance. Next Generation Scholars performed a stepping forward and back activity that demonstrated differences in backgrounds and showed a physical representation of different perspectives.
“Everything at this event has either inspired me or taught me to look more closely into the future,” said Kimberly Bartolon, a recent graduate of North Caroline High School who will be attending Chesapeake College in the fall. “I also learned to manage my time, my money and what I’m going to be doing while at college.”
Many students shared Kimberly’s enthusiasm for the skills, knowledge and tools they learned throughout the day. Some agreed they most enjoyed time management, credit and financial literacy information they learned while others mentioned they most enjoyed learning the importance of self-preparation and self-care. The high school graduates who participated in the roundtable discussion with current college students and recent college graduates felt that session was the most remarkable, offering key real-world insights not found in any brochure.
When asked what advice they’d give to rising seniors, Next Generation Scholar graduates had many words of encouragement.
“Get out there [and] reach out into the sea of help that has always been there,” said Jordyn Cox-Pemberton, a graduate of Kent County High School attending Millersville University in the fall to study engineering.
“Do all [your] college stuff now; don’t wait,” said Aniya Brinson, a graduate of Wicomico High School attending McDaniel College in the fall to study Political Science.
Kent County High School graduate Dylan Conner agreed. He said, “Don’t wait until the last minute to do what you need to do.”
And Ethan Boyles, a graduate of Colonel Richardson High School, said it straightforwardly: “If I can graduate, so can you.”
In the end, nine in 10 attendees (90%) felt they were prepared (55%) or very prepared (35%) for their future after the event.
“It was amazing and exciting,” said Sean Villegas, a graduate of Cambridge-South Dorchester High School. “I learned a lot; it made my day. I loved it.”
