BALTIMORE––January 16, 2019––Salisbury has grown to be the largest city on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, which can make it challenging for students to see all potential career interests it has to offer. On Tuesday, January 8, 2019, more than 50 sophomores from Wicomico High School who participate in the Next Generation Scholars program toured local businesses for career inspiration. The day-long field trip was coordinated by the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT), one of 17 nonprofit organizations chosen by the state to carry out this important program to enhance education and career awareness as well as college completion for high school students with a demonstrated financial need.
“MBRT is helping Next Generation Scholars navigate the complex business world by exposing them to a myriad of career and college opportunities,” said Felecia Greer, director of Customer Advocacy for Pepco Holdings. “We were pleased to be part of their inaugural Career Tour and thoroughly enjoyed our time with the Wicomico High School 10th graders as they discover potential career paths.”
The students visited seven local companies during which they toured facilities as well as learned about education requirements and what occurs in a typical workday. Representatives from Delmarva Power and Light, Dove Pointe, Salisbury Fire Department, Salisbury University, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company and WMDT-TV also spoke directly with the students about their industry.
Student responses to MBRT’s post-evaluation survey reveal a successful Career Tour:
- 100% agreed they learned the importance of one’s education and how it applies to one’s career.
- 100% agreed they are inspired and motivated to continue focusing on their studies.
- 92% agreed they learned something new at each stop along the tour.
“Salisbury University was pleased to partner with the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education to welcome local Next Generation Scholars to learn about career options and higher education,” said Kevin Vedder, associate vice president for human resources. “After engaging with professionals from campus, we hope they discovered that a university can help them find their path––and be their destination.”
MBRT designed the career tours to connect students and community businesses and provide an opportunity to learn about career choices students may not have previously considered. These connections can also help pave the way for future job shadowing and summer internship opportunities.
About Next Generation Scholars
For more than 25 years, MBRT has been connecting the business community with local schools through programs like its Maryland Scholars Speakers Bureau and STEM Specialists in the Classroom. In 2017, MBRT added the Next Generation Scholars program, which provides funding through the Howard P. Rawlings Maryland Guaranteed Access Grant, administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). The Guaranteed Access Grant provides an award that will help cover the cost of full-time study at a Maryland college or university for low-income families.
MBRT currently serves more than 2,300 students in 12 middle and high schools across five Maryland counties. The organization is one of several that partner with leadership and school counselors at select schools throughout the state to provide grade-specific services to ensure that students eligible for Next Generation Scholars graduate ready for their next steps in college, career and life. MBRT coordinators help students and parents understand that college is an option for everyone while bridging the knowledge gap that exists for many families about college and their chosen career paths.
Learn more about MBRT’s Next Generation Scholars program at www.mbrt.org/nextgen.
About Maryland Business Roundtable
Founded in 1992, the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) is a coalition of leading employers that have made a long-term commitment to support education reform and improve student achievement in Maryland. MBRT is the catalyst for business, government and education to drive high student achievement that ensures a competitive future workforce for a world-class economy. For more information, please visit http://www.mbrt.org/.
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