ST. LOUIS — The Little Bit Foundation is helping students in the St. Louis region figure out What’s Next after high school. Earlier this month, they hosted two career and college readiness fairs, one at Harris Stowe State University.
"We started What’s Next a few years ago, we were at one school, Riverview Gardens, and we've grown now to 21 schools coming out to our What's Next Fair which we're having over two days," said Miranda Walker Jones.
Walker Jones the Chief Executive Officer of The Little Bit Foundation is talking about their What’s Next program.
"We're excited to be able to deliver this this program to our community who are used to a little bit serving the younger students. They think about the coats, the backpacks, the shoes. But this is a big part of what we're doing is making sure that we're taking care of our older students, Our college bound, our career readiness programs really are designed to make sure that we're starting really in middle school and ramping up to high school," Walker Jones said.
The What’s Next program assists students in envisioning and planning for their next steps after high school graduation, by tapping into their passions and skills and exploring the many places where they may fit.
William Hardrick, the senior manager of college and career readiness for Little Bit, said it's about figuring out, "What makes the most sense for you and find your individualized pathways to success, and that's what matters because it really comes down to what you want to do and what makes sense for your future and how you move for your future."
And his favorite part of the day? His students.
"They get excited to come in and they're excited to shake hands. They're excited to have conversation. Their excitement. That's the best part of the day. The vendors are great, the staff is great. I love students. I love engaging with students. I love watching them be excited about their future. And you're seeing the possibilities. And that's the most that's the best part of the day for me," Hardrick said.
For more information about The Little Bit Foundation's What's Next program, click here.
Want more local lifestyle news delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the Show Me newsletter.