Evaluations - Mentors > Pontiac Academy for Excellence - Winning Futures - Mentoring Programs - Empowering youth to succeed through mentoring and strategic planningSkip to content
Focus: Deeper dive into career exploration and job readiness skills, emphasis on continuing education and planning for life after high school
Students: 11th and 12th grade, from previous year
Career Mentors: Matched with one to three students based on student’s career interest and mentor’s career experience
Sessions: Mix of monthly school-based and virtual sessions, including five in-person workshops or college/career tours
– Five to 15-minute facilitated lessons or videos (virtual only)
– Structured discussion led by career mentors
– Fun hands-on activity, reinforces lesson
– Winning Futures workbook page based on lesson
11th Grade Topics: career exploration; financial literacy; continuing education options; emotional intelligence; positive relationships; and five-year education and career planning
12th Grade Topics: Identifying and overcoming college obstacles; financial aid; time management; applying to college or trade school; executing strategic plans; coping with stress and fears; networking; resumes; interviewing; organization; and career exploration
Year 1 (10th Grade)
Focus: Exploring careers and learning life skills
Students:10th grade and alternative high school students, C average
Career Mentors: Matched with 3-4 students, coaching and providing students with encouragement
Sessions: Held at partner schools during the school day with students, teachers, career mentors, and staff present
– Two or three one-hour sessions each month
– 10-15-minute lesson facilitated by staff
– Fun hands-on activity, reinforces lesson
– Winning Futures workbook page based on lesson
Topics: vision; positive attitude; public speaking; communication skills; study skills; reputation and personal brand; managing emotions; budgeting basics; perseverance; value-based decision-making; goal setting; education and career exploration
Years 4-7 (College)
Focus: Support needed to stay in school, graduate, and find employment
Students: From high school program (started in 10th grade), enrolled in continuing education
Career Mentors: Matched one-to-one with students based on student’s career interest and mentor’s career experience/li>
Sessions: Monthly, arranged by mentors with their students – virtual, phone, or in-person
– Mentors and students choose from a list of curriculum topics
– Mentor receives talking points, resources, and activities to teach the lesson
Topics: Overcoming freshman struggles; emotional intelligence; resumes; internships; networking; interviewing; time management; business communications; success strategies; attitude; five-year goals; and preparing for life after school
Scholarship Judging
Essay reviewing will be held on Feb. 12, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at our office in Troy. You will be asked to read and evaluate 10 -15 applicant essays.
Interview evaluators participate in 5 -15 online interviews of student applicants and provide their feedback to the selection team. The virtual interviews are grouped together in two to three hour timeslots on select weekdays in March, 2025.
Three one-hour sessions each month from October through May.
Sessions held at participating schools during the school day with students, staff, teachers, and career mentors present. Cass Technical High School (Detroit); Communication & Media Arts High School (Detroit); Community High School (Sterling Heights); Harper Woods High School (Harper Woods); Mumford High School (Detroit); Pontiac Academy for Excellence (Pontiac); and Warren Mott High School (Warren).
Training before each session and support during every session.
Sessions start with a 10-minute lesson that is taught by a staff member, then career mentors participate in planned and fun activities that reinforce the day’s lesson.
