Does your young person have an interest in exploring different career pathways that are open to them?  

Our Career Exploration Series seeks to provide high school aged Littles with the opportunity to learn more about their career options, while connecting with professionals already working in those fields of interest.  

Explore our Programming!: 

• • Career Exploration Game Night 
    Want to be an Influencer? Entrepreneur? an Engineer? Try Game Night with a Career Twist!
    Click on the games below to access Big Futures Resources to help you bring your games nights to the next level.
    - The Game of Life            - Jenga              - Monopoly                  - Risk                  - Bingo
    
    

  • Youth Employment and Job Readiness Sub-Series Content:  
    Check out the following links to help you get ready for your first job or your next job.
    - Jumpstart Content: Learn more about completing your first job application, how to create your first resume, getting ready for your first job interview, and the ins & out of networking.
    - Dress for Success Content: Gain valuable practice and feedback about how to present personal journeys in a way that highlight their strength and stets them apart from other candidates. 
    - Resiliency Building Content: This will help you master your emotions and feel ready for to take the next steps.
    -Bring your Little to Work Guide: This guide can help you and your Little plan the perfect "Job Shadowing Experience".
    
    

  • Virtual Career Fair
    Not Sure what you'd like to do next, yet? No worries! Check out the University of Saint Joseph's google drive vault for videos and see which one of them interest you. Once you find one that seems interesting, Click here to access Big Futures Resources to help you make the most of the video. 

  • Check out these Virtual Career Panels:
        -From BBBSA National's BIG Futures Workforce Development initiative:
          Click here to access KPMG’s Women of Risk Community (WORC) Employee Resource Group
          or click here for the latest Careers in Healthcare Adtalem Panel Discussion
        -From Junior Achievements:
          Click here  to access their Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day"  Panel
    
    

  • Thinking Ahead - Career Profilers 
    Use the O*Net Interest Profiler, or  JA Connects, to find out more about what type of career might be right for you.  Click on the links bellow to access our Big Futures step by step guides to help you get started, and some tips to help you make the most of it.                O*net / My Next Move               JA Connect 

  • Taking it one step further 
    Using your preferred social media, create your own video describing where you see yourself in 5 years and what steps you'll take to get
    there. Keep in mind that this video is meant to inspire the next generation, so feel free to use  ‘stickers’ ‘filters’ and other interactive, attention captivating tools you have in your toolbox.
    
    

  • Career Conversations
    Want to learn more about a specific career? Let Big Futures know by completing this form, and a staff member may be able to coordinate a 1-1 session with an  expert in the field of your choosing within our network.  And if you're a Big reading this, and you'd be willing to meet with  another little and  share a bit more about your career/life experience let Big Futures know by completing this form.
    
    

  • Exploratory Content
    Take your outing to the next level by reviewing Big Futures' exploratory content for fun and practical insights on diverse career paths. Click here to access content. Let us in on "The Tea" & Big Futures will be more than happy to follow-up with additional resources or opportunities based on your feedback 
    
    *For the latest Beardsley Zoo Content click Here or Here to learn about opportunities at the Zoo! 

**Have any questions about any of the above? Contact Lorriane via email at LorrianeG@ctbigs.org or text 860-929-0431** 

Interested in learning more about your options after high school?

From Ivy Leagues to Community Colleges and hands-on Trade Schools, Connecticut has it all! Come and explore some of CT's local schools and find out which one is best for you!

These tours were accompanied with Scavenger Hunts and/or Tour Guides to help encourage participants to creatively explore and initiate conversations, and to maximize engagement! Click on the links to download your copy and join the fun on our next visit!

College & Trade school tour list:

• Porter and Chester Institute  - Student Tour Guide

• Yale University  - Scavenger Hunt  & Virtual Tour Version 

• Wesleyan University  - Scavenger Hunt

• Sacred Heart University  - Scavenger Hunt   

• UCONN Storrs Campus  - Scavenger Hunt  & Virtual Tour Version

• Quinnipiac University  -  Virtual  Campus Tour Scavenger Hunt 1          or Scavenger Hunt B 

• Goodwin University - Scavenger Hunt 

• Central CT State University - Scavenger Hunt 

• Trinity College - Scavenger Hunt 

• Capital Community College - Scavenger Hunt 

• University of Bridgeport  - Scavenger Hunt  
  
  

   Text your name and school of interest to 860-929-0431 to let Big Futures know where you'd like to go next!

     Affording College (There are also resources for this withing the HS checklist FYE checklist and Financial Fitness Series) :

• CT PACT - Free Tuition Opportunities 

• Ongoing Scholarship information

• FAFSA  is doing things a bit differently this year. Check out this link to stay up to date on the latest. 

• Have you completed your latest Tax Return information in preparation for your FAFSA form? You maybe eligible to have your taxes prepared, for free! Check out this site for more resources.  

Big Futures understands the importance of offering a holistic approach towards maintaining your overall health and well-being. Check out the following resources to help you reach your personal goals. 

Physical Health 

• Nutrition: Myplate.gov for resources about nutrition, see if your making every bite count and if you can maybe learn some new tips! 

• Social Media: Click here for some starters Safety Tips 

Mental Health

• Click Here for Tips & Tricks to maintain your mental health through the holidays 

• Click Here for a Time Budgeting template from our FYE Series, which can help you master your to-do list and feel great about it! 
  
  

Healthy Relationships 

The Following is content shared by Interval House from our Hunt, Sip & Spill the Tea with Big Futures @ Mistick Village Event

• Resources:
  - Click Here for 10 Signs of a Healthy Relationship
  - Click Here for Resource for Parents and Caregivers about Supporting Youth Healthy Relationships
  - Click Here to find out more about resources from Interval House 

• Activities:
  - Click Here for your Relationship Check
  - Click Here for My Personal Belief Activity
  - Click Here for My Values Activity 
  - Want to head to Mistick Village and complete the Scavenger Hunt on your own? Click Here to get started. 

Big Futures' is all about learning how to manage your money! See below for resources to help you get started! 

What is Financial Literacy?

• Similar to being able to read and write, being able to manage your finances is a Key to Success. Check out Experian's "What is Financial Literacy and why is it important?" article to learn more about what it means to be financially literate.

Budgeting 101 

• Now that you know what Financial Literacy is, let's get you started with Budgeting 101. Check out this video to learn some of the Budgeting Basics  like prioritizing your needs vs. wants and dive right in

Finding "Free" Money?

• There's always a "Quid Pro Quo" or a "give and take" when it comes to money. Take your understanding a step further, by clicking on the following links to learn about the basics of:   Financial Aid   Grants vs Loans    Building Credit  

Junior Achievement Content Adapted for Big Futures

• Click here to access the latest Budgeting Content.
  
  

Youth Collaboratory Content regarding Understanding Taxes for a Secure Financial Future

•  Click here to access to access the webinar recoding and here for more resources on taxes. You maybe me eligible to get free assistance with your taxes! Use this link to find a local office to help you out with your taxes next year! 

 Congratulations!
Check out how to make the best of your first year of your new experience through Big Futures': F.Y.E. Series!  

Explore our latest checklist:

• For our emerging:
  Juniors FYE Sept.pdf
  Sophomores: FYE Sept.pdf
  &  Freshmen: FYE Series September Checklist.pdf 

• For our newest members of the workforce: First 90 Days.pdf 

• For our newest enlisted members of the military: Prepping for Basic Training.pdf 

 Build on your progress from Junior High/Middle School 

Your high school years help to expand your young adult experiences which will allow you to build on your strengths, self-knowledge, and interests. These next four years are a chance for you to "Dare to Dream," and to explore new pathways to success. 

Below you'll find checklists to review, which will help to measure your progress along your academic journey.     

Make the best of this school year!   

• Summer Before 9th Grade 

• 9th Grade

• 10th Grade 

• 11th Grade

• 12th Grade 

Thinking of going to college and embarking on The Education Pathway?
Check out these checklist to help you get ahead and stay ahead:    

• High School Freshman Year  

• High School Sophomore Year   

• High School Junior Year 

• High School Senior Year

Thinking of going to directly to the workforce and embarking on The Employment Pathway?
Check out these checklist to help you get ahead and stay ahead:    

• High School Freshman Year 

• High School Sophomore Year 

• High School Junior Year 

• High School Senior Year
  
  

Thinking of going to directly to the military and embarking on The Military Pathway?
Check out these checklist to help you get ahead and stay ahead: 

• Things to consider in High School 

• What to know before Enlisting 

• Prep for Basic Training 

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Which test is right for me?

It’s important to know what options exist and depending on the college you wish to attend, there may be additional testing requirements. Here's a list of common testing options:

• The American College Testing (ACT) measures skills in the following areas: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing.

The ACT is typically taken by those who plan to apply to 4-year colleges and universities.

• The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) measures skills in the following areas: Math, Reading, Writing & Language, Essay Writing.

The SAT is typically taken by those who plan to apply to 4-year colleges and universities.

• S.A.T. PREP SERIES 

Want some extra practice before you take the S.A.T.? Join our S.A.T. Prep Series,
collect "keys" and earn $$$ with each level you master to unlock your potential.

Contact Big Futures to learn more by texting 860-929-0431. Upcoming SAT Test Dates. 

• The ACCUPLACER measures skills in the following areas: Math, Reading, Writing, Essay Writing.

The ACCUPLACER is typically taken by those who plan to apply to 2-year colleges and universities.

*Cost: Take the test for free! Talk to your school's guidance counselor and ask about the qualifications to gain a free waiver.

Additional Resources: 

These resources are great for helping students prepare for the ACT, SAT, and ACCUPLACER. There are many free or low-cost options available.

• College Board SAT Suite  

• College Board Bluebook Practice 

• Khan Academy

• ACT Academy

• Prep Factory

• Prepmedians