The University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges and Hawai‘i P-20 Partnerships for Education, together with community partners, will once again offer the Next Steps to Your Future initiative, to support Hawai‘iʻs graduating Class of 2021 public high school seniors. The Next Steps to Your Future initiative will engage and guide seniors in transitioning to their post-high school plans and connect them to postsecondary education and training as well as offer eligible students an opportunity to take free career exploration classes from the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges. Next Steps Class of 2021 participants will also be eligible for a Next Steps Scholarship to attend a UH campus in Fall 2021.

Student using laptop

Overview

Free UHCC Summer Career Exploration class

Hawaiʻi public high school class of 2021 graduates who will attend any University of Hawaiʻi Community College (UHCC) during Fall 2021 are eligible for a free summer career exploration college class to jumpstart their college experience. Eligible students may enroll in a free online Career Exploration course from June 14 - July 23. Students will explore career options and discover the education and training needed to reach their goal, learn how to be successful in an online course, complete steps to prepare for the Fall, get support to place into college level math (if needed), and meet with a dedicated campus contact. View career themed courses and general/undecided courses.

Hawaii P20 Advising Initiative

OVERVIEW

Summer Advising
Initiative

The summer advising initiative is for Hawai‘i's public high school graduating Class of 2021. Eligible students will have a dedicated advisor from June - July, who will provide assistance through the critical steps needed to take during the transition to post-high plans for college and career. Students will be able to communicate with a dedicated advisor through texting, scheduled virtual meetings, and/or phone calls to discuss topics that need more personalized support. In addition, students can attend live virtual webinars to help transition towards a promising future.

Free UHCC summer classes and advising for Hawai‘i Public High School Class of 2021

Classes Are FREE

Free UHCC summer classes and advising for Hawai‘i Public High School Class of 2021

Additional Information

Next Steps to Your Future 2021 is generously supported by Harold K. L. Castle Foundation, the Stupski Foundation, GEAR UP Hawai‘i, and federal CARES funding awarded to UH. Next Steps Scholarships are funded with support from Chenter Foundation, UH Alumni Association, and other UH Foundation donors.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Am I eligible?

  • Summer Advising Initiative: All Hawaiʻi public high school Class of 2021 seniors are eligible.
  • UHCC Summer Career Exploration Classes: All Hawaiʻi public high school Class of 2021 graduates who are accepted to a UHCC for the fall 2021 semester are eligible.

When will the program start?

  • Summer Advising Initiative: Students who sign up will be provided a dedicated advisor, receive customized text messages and access to free student webinars starting the first week of June 2021.
  • UHCC Summer Career Exploration Classes: Free Career Exploration Class are tentatively scheduled to run from June 14 - July 23, 2021.

What is a Career Exploration Class?
All classes will be online and are 2-3 credits. Classes will be synchronous (real-time interaction) or asynchronous (log in on your own time, independent learning) format. Course outcomes include: Self-Exploration & Self-Assessment; Career Exploration; Setting a Career Goal; Education & Training Research: Pathway Options; Create a career Plan.

What can I expect from the Career Exploration class?
Students can expect to spend 24 hours per week on their class, that includes attending class, studying, and homework time. The class will count towards your college GPA and may be used for elective credit.

What are the benefits of the Career Exploration class?
Students can earn FREE college credits, meet other freshman, learn how to be successful in an online college course, free access to a dedicated advisor, support for college-level math placement, learn college success strategies, assistance getting started for Fall 2021, build professional skills, and plan your future!

Do I need a computer and internet?
You will need reliable internet access and a computer. If you do not have a computer or internet access, please email us at nextstep@hawaii.edu.

How will the free UHCC Career Exploration summer class work? Does the class "count"?
UHCCs will be offering 2021 public high school graduates a 2 or 3 credit free summer class on career and college success. Join your fellow Class of 2021 peers to focus on your goals, explore your career options, plan your future steps, and develop skills to be successful. This course will be an introductory course within your career choice. All of these courses are graded and will affect your college GPA. The career and college success course may count for elective college credits. More information and details will be coming out shortly. Email nextstep@hawaii.edu to receive an invitation when sign ups begin.

Will any summer class I choose be free?
Free tuition and books only apply to career exploration classes offered through the Next Steps program. Students will be able to choose a course based on their career interest and/or fall 2021 home campus. Once accepted into the program, students will receive an email with instructions on how to choose a career exploration course. Students are welcome to take other summer courses offered in the University of Hawaiʻi System, however tuition will be the responsibility of the student.

Who will be my Summer texting advisor and how will I be supported over the summer?
You will be supported by a member of our Hawai‘i Advising Cadre who are made up of public high school counselors and/or teachers. You will be matched to an advisor in your region and receive messages from that person.

You can communicate with your advisor during specified work hours to ask questions about your future plans and also schedule meetings or phone calls with your advisor to discuss your plans in more detail. You will also be connected to counselors from University of Hawai‘i Community Collges if you have college-specific questions.

You will also receive customized text messages at least once a week starting the first week in June. These text messages will provide you with information and resources about important tasks to complete during the summer to prepare you for your next step such as registering for classes if enrolling in college or scheduling an interview if you plan to get a job.

Will I be charged for text messages?
Standard text-messaging rates will apply and you will be responsible for any costs incurred while receiving texts. You may also opt-out at any time by replying "STOP" to any text sent.

What are the benefits of Summer Advising?
Students will have access to live advisor through June–July 2021; receive personalized advising based on your future plans; learn skills, knowledge, and resources to be life ready through our Summer Webinar series; receive guidance with your steps towards a college degree; gain professional skills to earn a job; connect and network with other students and professionals.

Who is the program sponsor?
Next Steps to Your Future 2021 is generously supported by Harold K. L. Castle Foundation, the Stupski Foundation, GEAR UP Hawai‘i, and federal CARES funding awarded to UH.

Next Steps Scholarships are funded with support from Chenter Foundation, UH Alumni Association, and other UH Foundation donors.