Preparing the Launchpad

Urban Ventures expands College & Career opportunities through new partnerships and programs for high school students

A group of high school students spills out of an Urban Ventures van. “Welcome,” a friendly voice greets, “we’re glad you’re here.” The students, gathered from Washburn High School, are on a college visit at Augsburg University. “I’ll show you around,” the tour guide invites, “Hopefully, you can see yourself here.”

Touring colleges is just one of the initiatives of the recently expanded College & Career Center at Urban Ventures. As UV continues strengthening cradle-to-career services for local students, the past year brought an enhanced focus on  teenagers  about to finish high school.

The work began by forming greater partnerships with nearby high schools. “The schools have a lot of people who say they want to partner,” says Jason Thompson, the College and Career Center director. “But usually that means they want the school to fit into what they’re already doing. Urban Ventures was able to come in and say, ‘We opened this center for you. What do you need? How can we support what you’re doing?”

The response confirmed the need in the under- resourced schools. Jason continues, “The guidance counselors in our nearby high schools are amazing, but I was surprised to learn there are only two or three counselors for 1,600 students. They’d say, ‘The main thing the kids need is more people caring about their future.’”

All of the nearest high schools now have a “UV Club.” Each month, Jason and other Urban Ventures staff members come to teach a career-centered class. Students explore college and trade school options, take part in mock job interviews, get feedback on building and writing a good resume, and receive support in applying for financial aid.

The UV Club is also a great chance to network. Jason explains, “When a kid says they want to go into business, I tell them, ‘Urban Ventures is connected to many major corporations in town, I can get you a meeting to learn from one of their executives.’ Or if they are interested in Finance, we can connect them with our financial firm partners. They’re learning it’s not just what you know but who you know. Once that networking light bulb clicks on, the students start asking to set up meetings or come by our office to figure out the next steps.”

Students are also invited to learn about other Urban Ventures programs. Through the College and Career Center, students have begun participating in other programs like music and athletics. Jason recounts a recent tour of the Urban Ventures campus, “The teachers thought there would be maybe ten kids. Another forty signed up to come along. It went from a small group to needing a bus.”

With partnerships in place at five nearby high schools, and an existing network of universities and businesses to work with, the Urban Ventures College and Career Center is creating a strong launchpad for students considering their future after high school.

“Our goal is for every high school student in Urban Ventures programs to have a post-secondary education plan and to support them in pursuing that plan. But not just UV kids, Our hope is that we can help hundreds of other students not just dream about college, but provide the plan and support they need to get there.”