IMMOKALEE — The Immokalee Foundation is accepting applications from middle school students for its Career Pathways program that offers career exploration, technical, college and university exposure, homework assistance, and scholarship opportunities.

Students entering sixth, seventh and eighth grades at Immokalee Middle School are invited to apply in person or to pick up printed applications at The Immokalee Foundation’s program office located at 908 Roberts Ave. W. in Immokalee. Applications are due by July 8, 2022.

After completing the application, selected students will be contacted for an interview. Middle school students chosen to participate in The Immokalee Foundation’s Career Pathways program will be notified in mid-August.

The Immokalee Foundation’s Career Pathways program launched nearly three years ago and builds on the success of the Foundation’s after-school and summer college-preparatory and certification programs. Through extensive collaboration with local middle and high schools, industry professionals, and higher education institutions, The Immokalee Foundation developed the Career Pathways program—a professional development and career model that prepares students for professional careers in high-demand jobs throughout Southwest Florida.

“The career pathways program transforms the lives of our students through career exploration and hands-on career learning, which ultimately leads to a well-paying professional career,” said Amber Barr, Program Services Director at The Immokalee Foundation. “Each student embarks on their own journey and The Immokalee Foundation is there to provide them with support and guidance to discover their passions and learn about all the possibilities for their futures.”

The in-person middle school program is held after school from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Immokalee Middle School from September through April. Students explore a broad range of careers in four pathways: Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management, and Healthcare. The program includes career panels, field trips, workshops, and career interest and aptitude assessments. Rising seventh and eighth grade students also participate in a four-week summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Academy in partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University.

In order to help solidify the importance of education and create a community of support for each student, the Foundation also helps educate student’s parents and guardians about what to expect. Throughout each school year, students’ parents learn about the professional pathways available—including information about the demand for certain jobs, the training required, and the average pay—to help forge the partnership between the family and the Foundation that will help their children excel.

“Our programs receive 100% support from our student’s parents,” said Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO of The Immokalee Foundation. “Our goal is to create a nurturing and supportive environment for all our students. Parental participation is crucial to creating a great network of support—and our parents are the best!”

The program is helping students find and pursue their passions and has seen marked success; 100% of Immokalee Foundation students graduate from high school, 100% have a postsecondary plan for a professional career, and 92% go on to graduate with an advanced postsecondary certificate or degree.

For more information on The Immokalee Foundation’s transformational work, visit: immokaleefoundation.org.