What is Exploring?

Exploring is a workforce development program for youth ages 10-20 that teaches young people important life and career skills through immersive career experiences and mentorship provided by community and business leaders. The result is a program of interactive activities across 12 career fields that helps youth pursue, grow, and develop their career interests.

Goals & Objectives:

1. Provides experiential career exploration opportunities

2. Helps youth develop career awareness beyond their direct relationships

3. Enables youth to make more informed educational/vocational decisions

4. Connects youth to local/future employers

The Exploring program serves youth in two capacities:

1. In-School:

The in-school Exploring program provides youth in middle and high school with the opportunity to experience a range of career fields through hands-on learning activities led by local businesses and organizations. This program’s activities supplement the existing curriculum of classrooms served by Exploring.

Currently, the in-School Exploring program serves youth in the Barberton City Schools and Akron Public Schools.

2. Out-of-School:
   In this model, the out-of-school Exploring program provides students with a deep dive into a specific career field of their choice. Hosted, led, and delivered by partnering organizations, the program serves as the company’s internal workforce pipeline, while offering students the opportunity to gain firsthand experiences in and knowledge of career paths within the chosen industry.

Join one of our Explorer Posts

For youth ages 14-20:

 Interested in gaining hands-on career experiences from professionals in the industry? Check out the following list of out-of-school Exploring programs that are accepting applications:

●        Law Enforcement Programs:

○        Akron Police Department

○        Kent Police Department

○        Medina County Sheriff’s Department

○        Springfield Police Department

○        Summit Metro Parks – Ranger Department

●        Fire/EMS Programs:

○        Green Fire Department

○        Medina Fire Department

○        Valley City Fire Department

●        Engineering Programs:

○        Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

○        Valley City Engineering & Manufacturing Program

To learn more about Exploring, please contact Olivia Pilon at (234) 900-5894 or Olivia.Pilon@Scouting.org.