College & Career Readiness

SPARKING PATHWAYS TO SUCCESSFUL CAREERS

4-H members received an unforgettable opportunity for career exploration and real world experience on a professional film set! Youth were able to take roles as extras, set scenes, roll tape, and observe the movie process on the upcoming film Now I Know Hate from director Takia Teke during filming in East St. Louis.

This opportunity came through Dean Williams, President of Central Illinois Film Commission. The CIFC has established a Dean Williams scholarship fund to provide training/stipends for youth interested in the film industry.

TEENS EXPLORE POTENTIAL CAREERS AT THE ILLINI SUMMER ACADEMIES

Illinois 4-H makes college and career exploration easier for teens in the state by hosting a college and careers exploratory conference with University of Illinois faculty where youth can explore fields of study before committing to one path.

After a 2020 cancellation due to COVID, the 2021 Illini Summer Academies received a redesign to provide a virtual program to give teens the opportunity to explore future careers while working with Illinois professors. Teens received hands-on training in a virtual format.

76%

OF ACADEMY PARTICIPANTS FELT THAT 4-H HAD HELPED THEM EXPLORE FUTURE CAREER OPTIONS

74%

FELT 4-H HELPED THEM IDENTIFY CAREERS THAT MIGHT BE A GOOD FIT FOR THEM

74%

FELT THEY HAD A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY DO AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

The ISA Teen Production Team was ready to take on the challenge of transforming an in-person event into a fun and unforgettable virtual experience!

Joshua McWhorter, St. Clair County Sinaya Bruce, Madison County Dylan Zwilling, Champaign County Carina Engst, McLean County Carlos Martinez, Cook County Edgar Jaime, Cook County Xitlaly Jasso, Cook County Angela Melendez, Cook County Gerardo Mondragon, Cook County

“Unforgettable, I felt like joining the production team helped me grow but also I felt included, I really feel like it was such a once in a lifetime experience.” -Angela, Cook County

4-H GOES VIRTUAL

“I liked being able to do hands-on activities in the subjects that I love. I also liked that there were activities where our groups had fun and interacted together.” -Youth Survey Response

LATINO YOUTH DEVELOP LIFE, LITERACY SKILLS TO PREPARE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

The JuntosTM Program through Illinois 4-H empowers Latino youth to support each other throughout high school and as they prepare to enter higher education. Students and their families gain the knowledge and resources necessary for future academic success.

The Juntos Program started in 2007 at NC State University as a direct response to the need to unify schools, families, and community efforts to prevent school dropouts and promote students’ access to higher education. The core tenets of the program focus on family engagement, 4-H Club connections, one-on-one mentoring, and summer programming to support its goals.

“Fostering high-quality, successful parent involvement in schools has been a struggle for schools across the states. Research shows that family engagement is a huge factor in student success,” says Maria E. Gutiérrez, Juntos 4-H Program Coordinator. “The program includes the family engagement component which focuses on communication skills allowing parents to actively engage in their students' post-secondary pathway with the ultimate goal to pursue higher education.”

As a result of participating in Juntos 4 H, students report a greater sense of belonging and confidence in their futures, with immediate successes seen in grade improvement.

The program focuses on engagement with the whole family as part of its success strategy for youth. Parents who have taken part in the program have seen success and have gained valuable information as a part of the program.

“The Juntos program has helped us a lot because we did not know about scholarships, the enrollment process, and exams that my daughter will be taking,” says Maria Jimenez, parent of a Morton West High School student that took part in the program. “She will be the first one to graduate from the family and so the Juntos program has helped us a lot and we have learned a lot.”

“She will be the first one to graduate from the family and so the Juntos program has helped us a lot and we have learned a lot.”

-Maria Jimenez, Cook County Juntos parent

4-H ALLOWS ME TO BE...

Name: Eizabeth Jones County: Bureau County Age: 8th Grade

Where can I go to do my best? What outlet can there be? I wonder where there is a place where fun’s a guarantee? I have a clue about this spot, It does check every box, And I can say without a doubt, Most people say it rocks! Where can I go if I did want To show my homemade hat? Or if I wanted to crochet A bear cub, nice and fat? I’m sure there is an outlet Where one’s carpentry is praised, Or where one’s cooking gets top vote For tasty onions glazed. I love to draw, this is well known, But I should like a prize For working hard all day and night To simply draw some eyes. I find it’s easier to do The things I love to do If I could see a carrot In the future’s bright sky blue. My dog is good and sweet and kind, Obedient is he, I’d like to see how he compares With those who don’t have fleas. So I will enter him into A show where I’ll display My happy pooch, so nice and true, Obeying words like ‘stay.” So tell me please, what company Allows for all this fun? What organised establishment Will let you make a pun? I’ll tell you what this thing is, now, A hint: what’s half of eight? That’s right! Head, heart, hands, healthiness, This place is called 4-H!