Motivational Speakers & Role Models
During the Summer Academy various professionals (usually PUB alumni) hold discussions with PUB participants every Monday night. They talk about the steps they had to take to get from high school to where they are professionally, including the need to establish and work toward goals. In the Summer Academy, Thursday is “Dress for Success Day,” and so the speakers always include a discussion on the importance of appropriate attire. During the Academic Year, professionals may also come to target schools to address PUB members at their monthly meetings.
College/Career Day
PUB’s Annual College/Career Day enlightens participants on the new century’s work place. It allows participants to gain insight on matching education to career paths. It also presents participants with role models from a wide variety of careers. College/Career Day serves the dual-purpose of providing professional development for seniors who help to implement the programming.
Senior Seminar
Senior Seminar is PUB’s answer to the dilemma of seniors needing to work during the summer while still receiving services from PUB. The summer prior to participants entering their senior year of high school, they choose between taking a college class or working during the summer or both. They still attend The Summer Academy participating in twice-weekly, day-long activities which concentrate on leadership development, financial planning and college research. Once the actual school year begins, their focus continues on activities designed to assure college entry and financial aid acquisition.
eProfiles
Every PUB participant must put together a hard-copy portfolio. The binder contains a biographical statement with three-generation genealogy; transcripts; honors, awards, and certificates; and a resume. Each section of the binder is updated annually and it is used at college fairs, employment interviews, or upon request for recommendations. During Senior Seminar, each participant transfers information from their binder into their eProfile, and uploads their personal video so that admission officers, potential employers, and others may view their information electronically.
Career Exploration
PUB provides participants with the means to dream and determine how to achieve those dreams. Using a career inventory, Careers Occupational Preference Survey (COPS), participants match personal characteristics with possible careers. Then when they reach Senior Seminar, COPS is used as a starting point to find a good major/college/career match.
SBA Entrepreneurship Institute
PUB collaborated
with Oakland University’s School of Business Administration (SBA) to
generate the Entrepreneurship Institute (EI) for PUB seniors for the
first time during the 2001 Summer Academy. Students who participated
resided on campus for one week during the summer, wrote businesses
plans and learned all about running their own business. They presented
their business plans to EI corporate funders at the Ameritech Awards
Banquet. Although not exclusive to PUB, EI is still active and available to PUB's rising seniors.
Participants who meet all of the EI requirements receive a $500.00
scholarship that can be used at any post secondary education institution. There is an added bonus scholarship of $1,500.00 if PUB alumni choose to enroll at Oakland University’s SBA!