Career AGsperience: Unlock the Secrets in Helping Youth Prepare for a Successful Career
4-H and Youth Programming
April Barczewski
University of Maryland
Elkton
Abstract
Career AGsperience is an agriculture career literacy program designed to increase participants’ knowledge base related to agriculture careers and preparation for careers in animal science, environmental science, agri-business and leadership, and agriculture science and technology. The Career AGsperience team has developed a curriculum with six lessons related to agriculture careers, career planning, resume development, internship acquisition, interviewing skills, and business etiquette. The curriculum includes supplemental materials and assessment tools for virtual and in-person programming. The program strives to increase the number of youth pursuing post-secondary degrees and careers in agriculture-related fields. Additionally, the program is supported with a website page and YouTube channel with career and supplementary learning videos. The target audience for this program is middle and high school students.
Youth participants who completed the post-survey strongly agreed or somewhat agreed to several statements:
- 100% better understand how science is involved in agriculture
- 100% know more about agriculture related career opportunities
- 100% are interested in learning more about agriculture related careers
- 100% are interested in pursuing an agriculture related career
- 80% better understand how agriculture affects them
- 80% better understand why agriculture related careers are important
- 80% feel better prepared for pursuing their future educational/career aspirations
In addition, 100% plan to go to college or seek other vocational training after high school. Therefore, the Career AGsperience program is meeting the needs in the area of career and skill development and helping youth plan for their future endeavors in agri-science-related careers.
Session participants will learn how to access and successfully replicate the Career AGsperience programing locally and learn strategies for conducting programming in a virtual and/or in-person format. Participants will receive access to the curriculum, supplementary materials and evaluation tools the team has developed.
Authors: April Barczewski , Sheryl Bennett, Thomas Hutson, Becky Ridgeway
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April Barczewski Extension Educator 4-H Youth Development, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland, 21921
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Sheryl Bennett Extension Educator 4-H Youth Development, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland, 21043
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Thomas Hutson Extension Educator 4-H Youth Development, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland, 21601
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Becky Ridgeway Extension Educator 4-H Youth Development, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland, 21157