Information about BridgeYear’s Career Test Drive® Fair

Our mission is to connect underserved youth to careers and educational pathways that provide economic stability and independence. Our vision is for all students to graduate high school with a path to stable employment.

Since our founding in 2016, BridgeYear has been at the forefront of exposing youth to highgrowth, in-demand careers and guiding them towards the necessary education and training required to kickstart their professional journeys.

BridgeYear’s focus lies in empowering students by highlighting non-four-year, entry-level career opportunities, enabling them to identify careers that align with their interests and skills. This approach equips students with the awareness

and career identity crucial for their future success as they complete their high school education.

At our Career Test Drive® Fairs, students have the option to: (1) visit the MorePathways booth to create an online profile and search low-cost, short-term training programs and careers in the Houston area, or (2) engage in career exploration through hands-on simulations in various career pathways that do not require a traditional fouryear degree. Guided by near-peer BridgeYear staff, students delve into conversations about career pathways, time commitments, work lifestyles, career skills and preferences, allowing students to gain invaluable insights and make informed decisions about their future path.

Of students who participated in a Career Test Drive® Fair....

93%

indicated they had positive attitudes towards the careers they participated in, combating the negative stigmas attached to vocational careers.

92%

indicated they were confident in their ability to do well in these careers with training, signifying the pivotal role of self-efficacy in career choice.

Why Choose Us Comprehensive Career Exploration

Students are often unaware of the range of career pathways that are available to them. Our hands-on simulations allow students to experience different careers to make informed decisions about their future paths.

Industry-Aligned Careers

BridgeYear leverages workforce data and establishes direct partnerships with employers to expose youth to in-demand careers. By aligning our program with current and future labor market needs, we ensure that students are prepared for successful career opportunities.

Non-Four-Year Pathways

Not all students wish to pursue a four-year college degree.

Our program equips students by highlighting non-fouryear, entry-level career opportunities that are in-demand and offer economic stability.

Hear From an Educator Senior CTE Program Specialist at Houston ISD

“I often see students walk away from the career simulations feeling like they just accomplished a real task, which is wonderful to see as an educator.

The Career Test Drive® Fair allows students to figure out that they have many skills that can carry over since most of these jobs have a hands-on aspect.”

Make a Reservation Today 1. Contact Us

2. Pick a Date & Time

3. Set-Up a Site Visit

Scan the QR code to book an information session to schedule a Career Test Drive® Fair for your school at BridgeYear.org/CTD

Secure your school’s gym or an open space for the Career Test Drive® Fair.

Please note that BridgeYear will need access to the space the entire day.

During your 30-minute site visit with BridgeYear, our staff will review the layout of the space and schedule for BridgeYear’s Career Test Drive® Fair.

Choose Your Career Package High School (Two Options)

Middle School

Community Events Career Package Electrician Network Technician Phlebotomist Pharmacy Technician Refinery Operator

Career Package A

Career Package B

Career Package

Automotive Technician Manufacturing Technician Network Technician Phlebotomy Refinery Operator Surgical Technologist

Electrician Network Technician Pharmacy Technician Phlebotomy Refinery Operator Surgical Technologist

Automotive Technician Electrician Network Technician Manufacturing Technician Refinery Operator Surgical Technologist

Our Available Careers

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Automotive Technician

Electrician

Manufacturing Technician

Network Technician

Perform thorough routine vehicle maintenance by examining wear patterns, diagnosing common malfunctions, and skillfully replacing the brake pads.

Uninstall an old pendant light and replace with a new light fixture to the ceiling of your client’s home. If you wire everything correctly, the light bulb will turn on.

3D print gears based on Technical Drawings.

Machine the parts to the proper dimensions and check them against the drawings for quality assurance.

Install and test the network wiring. If lights on the network tester light up numerically, you have succesfully established an internet connection for every company cubicle.

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Pharmacy Technician

Phlebotomist

Refinery Operator

Surgical Technologist

Fill as many prescriptions as accurately as possible.

Provide patients with the correct medication, dosage supply, and write the proper information on the pill bottle’s label.

Identify required tests, draw four quality blood samples from the patients arm, and place them in the designated tubes for proper testing as ordered by the doctor.

Adjust and record flow, level, time, temperature, and pressure using levers, knobs, and switches to ensure safe filtration of crude oil or natural gas for refined products.

Prepare an operating room for general surgery. Apply knowledge on medical procedures to pass surgical instruments to surgeons while maintaining sterile procedures.

Our Programs BridgeYear’s programming is grounded in our Theory of Change, which states that when students KNOW about career opportunities that pay above a living wage, BELIEVE those career opportunities are within their reach, and have ACCESS to the training and educational programs needed to start those careers, they are able to become economically stable and independent.

KNOW L E D GE

B E LI E F

ACCE SS

Workforce Curriculum

Career Test Drive® Program

MorePathways

Many students lack awareness of viable careers and pathways that do not require a four-year degree. In response, BridgeYear partners with schools and nonprofits to educate students about career options and postsecondary pathways that lead to meaningful employment and a living wage upon high school graduation.

BridgeYear’s Career Test Drive® Program offers students engaging hands-on career exploration experiences in high-growth, in-demand career pathways that do not require a four-year college degree. The program addresses the limited exposure students often have to assess career fit.

MorePathways is a website where you can search low-cost, short-term career training programs and explore careers requiring less than a fouryear college degree. With access to support and career guidance, BridgeYear is breaking down financial barriers, helping students pursue fulfilling career opportunities.

Postsecondary Pathways Conference

Career Accelerators

Certification Cohort Program

BridgeYear’s annual Postsecondary Pathways Conference offers educators insights into Houston’s labor market trends and facilitates networking opportunities with workforce development programs so they can guide students to explore successful and rewarding career pathways.

BridgeYear’s Career Accelerators are immersive, day-long events hosted at industry partner offices.

Select senior high school students interested in short-term training programs or community college are invited to learn and practice the essential soft skills required to enter the workforce after graduation.

BridgeYear reduces enrollment barriers by partnering with local training programs to offer recent Houston-area high school graduates the opportunity to enroll in free, short-term workforce training, equipping them with the skills and credentials needed to start a career in their chosen field.

Learn more at www.BridgeYear.org