Career exploration day:
connecting dreams to real WORLD experience
Breakthrough Silicon Valley students dream of being doctors, scientists, game designers, engineers, and much more. By seeing what it’s like to work in Silicon Valley, they take the first step in creating a vision for their success. While their dreams may change, it is important for each student to meet people who are successful in their chosen profession.
What Does Hosting a Career Exploration Day Entail?
Minimum Effort for Maximum Impact!
Breakthrough staff will help you plan a great day in advance
Host a group of 10 to 15 middle school students (ages 11-13) from 10:00am-1:00pm
Show the students your office, introduce them to colleagues, engage them in a work-related activity, answer questions about your company, your job, and your educational experience
Students will be accompanied at all times by 2-3 chaperones
Take them to a “business lunch” either at your company cafeteria or at a local (walking distance) restaurant
when does career exploration day take place? how many companies participate?
Career Exploration Day is a part of our summer program for incoming 7th graders and rising 8th graders and is typically held in mid-to-late July. Due to the logistics required in transporting the students and the schedule structure of our summer program, all Career Exploration Day visits take place on the same day. We are unable to accommodate companies who are interested in being hosts on a different day.
Twelve companies participate each year, hosting approximately 200 students simultaneously throughout the Bay Area.
Check Out Our 2023 Hosts!
Career Exploration Day - Wednesday July 19, 2023
What are Typical Activities and How Do I Plan Them?
Breakthrough’s staff will work with you in advance to help you design a successful day; some ideas and examples of what others have done are below. We want our students to meet people doing different jobs – an engineer, a marketing guru, a CFO, a lawyer, and interns - some high-achieving company hosts have even introduced kids to their CEO!
Sample Schedule
10:00 am: Students and Breakthrough staff members arrive; introductions or an ice breaker, etc.
10:30-11:00 am: Mini Mentor - Students meet with a group of employees; learn about their jobs and their experiences
11:00- 11:30 am: Campus Tour - Students participate in a tour of the facilities. Make it even more entertaining by transforming it into an engaging scavenger hunt!
11:30 -12:30 pm: Planned Activity - Participate in a group activity such as product testing and feedback, digital design, or even building real computers!
12:30 pm: “Business Lunch” in company cafeteria or conference room and group photo.
1:00 pm: Students depart and return to their summer program site.
Please don’t hesitate to be creative! We are happy to support you in creating a unique schedule of activities.
What will students do to prepare?
Research your company
Brainstorm questions to ask you and other employees
AFTER THE DAY
Students will share their experiences with their classmates, learn how to write formal business letters, and go home with homework related to their day.
They will have learned about new careers and the world of work at your company. They will have strengthened their desire to attend a great high school and a strong university. They will always remember the day, and they will always remember you!
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions or would like to learn more about hosting a Career Exploration Day visit, please contact Coco-Nicole Banks at cbanks@breakthroughsv.org or (408) 634 - 6740.