Just half of all college-qualified students from low-income families enter a four-year college. Many lack role models with college degrees. (The Education Trust)

EVENTS: CAREER CONFERENCES

"The Career Conference helped me identify the steps I need to be taking and encouraged me to begin planning for the future."

Every year, the Fulfillment Fund puts on Career Conferences designed to assist students in making important career planning decisions. Whether it's learning how to write a resume, improving interviewing skills, discovering the best way to conduct a job search, or learning how to manage finances, the conferences offer a wide array of workshops and presentations to not only inspire but provide the practical skills that lead to a successful future. Separate conferences are held for high school students and college students. The events are only open to Fulfillment Fund students and their parents and mentors.

"The conference really did impact my career choices because I realize that I have the opportunity to explore and learn how to find a career that will fit and satisfy me."

This year, over 100 students, panelists, mentors, parents, and Fulfillment Fund alumni attended our first annual High School Career Conference. Exposing students in high school to career choices allows for greater planning about where to attend college.

Students attended panel sessions on topics ranging from business, law and finance, to fashion, design, the arts, and technology. Panelist Charles King emphasized the importance of persistence to students in the Entertainment, Media, and Technology session. He described the three rejection letters he once received when he applied for internships at the William Morris Agency. The letters are now framed and hanging in the office he occupies as Senior Vice President and Agent – at William Morris.

Our Career Conference for post-high school students is designed to help recent graduates transition from college to the careers of their choice, as well as help current students align their college majors with their career choices, and inspire recent high school graduates to understand the link between college and career. The afternoon includes a networking lunch where students engaged in conversations with professionals in their respective career fields of interest, and Career Counselors conduct on one-on-one resume review sessions with students.