PANTHER FUTURE CENTER NEWSLETTER

Friday, Nov 1 is the Early Action deadline for most colleges/universities, so we want to celebrate your hard work in preparing for your life Beyond South! Our Early Action/1st Gen party is Friday, Nov 1 at lunch in the PFC.

If you have applied to a college, university or specialty trade school/program, registered at a community college, or taken steps to enlist in the military, you are invited!!!! Special recognition will be given to our 1st Generation College students.

We will have treats, prizes, and a photo booth-make sure you come check it all out!!

If you need help finishing up those applications by the deadline, head to the PFC!!

We are hosting 3 application workshops next week and we want you to join us! All applications submitted during these workshops will be considered for Early Action, and PSU and SOU will give you your admissions decision and scholarship amounts that day! You can also apply to these schools for FREE! Please see the PFC Canvas page for the specific details for each workshop.

Our military recruiters come to campus a few times each year to meet with students and share how this Next Step option can help you with your career plans. Sign up here to get a reminder pass, or come to the front office when you hear the announcement. You are welcome to bring your lunch!

Interested in exploring a high-demand, high wage career? Do you like to work with your hands and take pride in your finished projects? Check out what the construction trades have to offer! Each week we will highlight a different construction career. We encourage you to take a look and come talk to us for more information. If you think you'd like to learn more, see the information below about our very own Pre-Apprenticeship program, MPACT!!

Do you love to work with your hands? Want to have a career in a high-wage, high-demand field? Interested in having someone else pay for your advanced training and get paid to go to school? Join our MSD MPACT program and get a jump start on an exciting and lucrative career! MPACT will introduce you to local industry professionals, take you to job sites, guide you through the apprenticeship application process, help connect you to potential employers, and more! See Stacy in the PFC if you have any questions. If you join now, you will be invited to all field trips and experiences for this school year!

OPEN TO JUNIORS AND SENIORS-FILL OUT APPLICATION BELOW

Being an electrician isn’t just a job, it’s a solid career path. Electrical contractors enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities and earn a respectable income. There’s also job security—customers will always need skilled trade professionals to install and service electrical systems in their homes and businesses.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 762,600 electricians nationwide and 9,260 work in Oregon. The national number is predicted to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032 adding almost 50,000 to the ranks of this skilled workforce. That growth rate is expected to be almost double that in Oregon — projected at 16%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.

To become an electrician, you need to:

• Get a high school diploma or GED

  High school students who plan to become electricians can take classes in shop and mechanical drawing, and excel in math and science.

  
  

• Complete an electrician training program

  Technical schools offer programs that teach basic electrical information, safety practices, and circuitry. Graduates of these programs may receive credit towards their apprenticeship.

  
  

• Complete an apprenticeship program

  Apprenticeships typically include 144 hours of technical training and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. Apprenticeships can take about 4–5 years to complete.

  
  

• Pass the electrician licensing exam

  The exam questions are based on the National Electrical Code, which focuses on safety during electrical wiring.

  
  

• Get a license

  Each state has its own regulations for licensing, but a license is usually required to become an electrician. A license protects your company and customers, and gives you an advantage in the job market.

College reps from around the state will come to our campus over the next few months. They will share about how to apply to their college, scholarship opportunities, campus life and the programs and majors they offer. These visits are the perfect way to get to know your admission representative who may play a part in your admissions decision! Please sign up on the link to attend these visits. These are open to ALL grades.

National and regional scholarships are listed on the calendar by due date. Check them out to see if one is a good fit! New scholarships are added frequently, so get in the habit of looking each week!

* The Youth Awards was founded in 1998 by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. Now entering its 26th year, the Youth Awards honors Latino high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community and for their excellence in various categories including: Community Service, Education, Engineering, Entrepreneurship & Business, Green Sustainability, Healthcare & Science, Media & Entertainment, Public Service & Social Justice, and Technology.
* Be currently enrolled in high school and graduating in the spring of 2025
* Must have a minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or 7.5 on a 10.0 scale
* Must enroll at an accredited higher education institution in 2025-2026
* Be of Hispanic heritage (includes Spain, Brazil, Philippines)
* If selected, attendance to virtual regional awards ceremony is mandatory

The Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is the largest undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend the nation's best four-year colleges and universities. In addition to the monetary award, Cooke Scholars receive comprehensive educational advising, significant cohort-based programming, and graduate school funding, as well as a thriving network of nearly 3,200 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni.

Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student's educational expenses - including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships he or she may receive.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

* Senior standing - Complete four years of high school in the U.S., a U.S territory, or on a U.S. military base and plan to graduate in spring 2025.
* Fall College Enrollment - Intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall 2025.
* GPA - Earn a minimum, cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75 or above.
* Demonstrate Unmet Financial Need - We will consider applicants with family annual gross income up to $95,000. During the selection process, the Foundation will conduct a full financial review which will take into account all income and assets of the student and the student's parents.

By doing a few things now, you can be prepared when it's time to apply for college, an apprenticeship program, and scholarships! Many applications require you to submit an Activities Chart, detailing how you spent your time outside of the classroom. Start filling in this chart of school, volunteer, community and work experiences you've had since you became a high school student. If you see a gap in one category, that can help you make a plan for your free time! You may also need a letter of recommendation at some point. Fill out this Brag Sheet now so you can be all ready to ask a teacher for that letter-make sure to give them at least 2 weeks notice before you need it! Both are fillable forms that you can add to as you move throughout the school year. Get a jump start on your future!

Do you love to work with your hands? Want to have a career in a high-wage, high-demand field? Interested in having someone else pay for your advanced training and get paid to go to school? Join our MSD MPACT program and get a jump start on an exciting and lucrative career! MPACT will introduce you to local industry professionals, take you to job sites, guide you through the apprenticeship application process, help connect you to potential employers, and more! See Stacy in the PFC if you have any questions. If you join now, you will be invited to all field trips and experiences for this school year!

OPEN TO JUNIORS AND SENIORS-FILL OUT APPLICATION BELOW

Would you like a kind, caring adult to help you with all of your college, scholarship and financial aid applications? How about working with someone who will text and remind you of all of the important deadlines and due dates? Then join Aspire and get your very own mentor! Pop into the PFC to get a permission slip and get started. Email stacy.carle@medford.k12.or.us with any questions.

TRiO is accepting applications for students in grades 9-11! TRIO is a great program to help you with your next step after high school. TRiO can help with college, career and academics. We offer free tutoring, field trips and so much more! If you are a First Generation College student and would like another person in your corner, scan the QR code and fill out the app today.

Questions about TRiO? Email Angel.garcia@medford.k12.or.us.

Make sure to accept your invitation to the PFC Canvas page and stay up to date on all the important information!

Our PFC website is full of vital information to help you get connected to college and career resources. Whether you are interested in college, a trade, the military, or the workforce, you will find what you need to help you get started!