Future Focused

Welcome to the 2025-26 Future Focused Newsletter. This is your go-to space for college readiness, career insights, and valuable resources to help you succeed. Whether you're seeking guidance, learning new skills, or questioning what you want to do after high school, this newsletter is designed to foster a sense of confident decision making and growth. Stay tuned for exciting updates, tips, and college/career readiness opportunities as we work together toward a bright future!

Dr. Martez Mott is a Senior Researcher in the Ability group at Microsoft Research where he conducts research in the fields of human-computer interaction, accessibility, mixed reality, and human-centered AI. His research focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating novel intelligent interactive technologies that are guided by scientific understandings of people’s experiences with computers and information. He is best known for his research on improving accessibility for people with limited mobility by identifying and dismantling accessibility barriers found in a range of computing technologies, including touch screens, gaze-based text entry, and virtual reality hardware. Dr. Mott is passionate about improving diversity in Computer and Information Science.

December 1 * Special Education Day

December 6 * National Miners Day

December 8-12 * Computer Science Education Week

December 9 * International Veterinary Medicine Day

December 12 * National Salesperson Day

Ready to kickstart your college journey? Click here for an updated list of scholarships, in order, by deadline. Don’t wait: start applying today and get one step closer to your dream school!

CMU Chippewas are all about community, and joining a community can literally pay off for your students.
Applications are open now through January 15 for these competitive scholarships:

• Leader Advancement Scholarship. Rewards dedicated leaders with $2,000 per year. Minimum 3.0 GPA required.
  
• Multicultural Advancement/Lloyd M. Cofer Scholarships. Rewards students committed to equality and inclusion. Valued between $4,125 annually and a full-ride. No minimum GPA required.

The first step is applying for admission. After submitting an application for admission, eligible students will find these scholarship opportunities in their applicant portal.

Brainstorm Before Researching Scholarships

• Create a comprehensive list of your accomplishments.

• Sports, clubs, babysitting, church, leadership, work experience, family care, etc.

Answer the following common scholarship questions:

• Tell us about yourself.

• Describe a time you overcame adversity.

• What do you plan to study in college? Why?

• What makes you unique?

• Describe how you have demonstrated leadership ability in your community.

Be Thorough During The Search

• Find free scholarship search services.

• Seek out community resources, including community foundations, community groups, cultural organizations, employers, places of worship, and high school counselors.

• Pay attention to qualifications and requirements (every scholarship is different).

• Make a list of scholarships you will apply for.

• Prioritize your list by deadline.

• Add details of all materials required for submission.

Complete Your Applications

• Work on one scholarship at a time.

• Reread specifications of the essay.

• Create an outline using your brainstorm topics.

• Show the reader; don’t just tell them

• Use specific examples.

• Write multiple drafts. Never submit a first draft essay.

• Proofread! Proofread! Proofread! Have a trusted adult or a peer read over your final draft prior to submission.

Time To Submit!

• Make sure your application has all required documents.

• Double check that your essay answered all prompts given.

• Make a copy! Always keep a record of your submissions.

• File your FAFSA at studentaid.gov
• Apply for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship – free $$$ for staying in-state!
• Submit Early Action or Early Decision college apps (check deadlines!)
• Keep knocking out scholarships – local, regional, and national!
• Stay organized
• Create an email just for college and career information. Keep it professional!
• Seek support when needed and breathe! We're here to guide you through! 🙂

Don’t forget, 20 hours of community service are required for graduation. If you still need hours, now’s the perfect time to get involved! Many local organizations are ready to welcome student volunteers, including:

• Angels' Place

• Friendship Circle

• Oakland County Foster Closet: Contact Ms. Michele at (248) 419-4487

• Southfield Parks & Recreation

Be sure to log your hours. Let’s finish strong, Class of 2026!

Thinking about becoming a Golden Grizzly? High school students can now explore Oakland University’s upcoming Undergraduate Admissions events. Visit the Undergraduate Admissions homepage to view information sessions, campus tours, special visit days, and other opportunities designed to help you learn more about OU and take your next steps toward enrollment. Check out the full list of events and plan your visit today!

• 12/02/25 - Welcome Reception
• 12/06/25 - Health Sciences Day
• 01/24/26 - Engineering and Computer Science Day
• 02/21/26 - Business Day

The Michigan College Guide is a tool to help scholars find a path to the right colleges. This is a comprehensive guide to Michigan's public and private colleges and universities. Click here to take a look!

Harvard University offers many free online courses on edX, such as Computer Science, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python, and Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking. The courses cover a wide range of subjects, including data science, humanities, and public health. Click here to explore!

Unlock the future of AI for teens with IBM Skills Build! Learn the basics of this awesome technology and kickstart your skills with these free courses. Explore cutting-edge technologies, build essential workplace skills, and earn digital credentials to showcase what you’ve learned. Click here to register.

The University of Pennsylvania offers high school students a gateway to explore intellectually stimulating subjects and gain valuable knowledge with online courses such as Big Data and Education and Intellectual Property Law and Policy. Click here to view their catalog of courses.

Skilled trades offer excellent career options with good pay and great opportunities. These in-demand jobs are in industries like healthcare, IT, manufacturing, construction, and automotive. In Michigan, employers are looking to fill over 520,000 skilled trades jobs, with 45,000 new openings each year. Click here for a helpful resource with more information on career paths, schools, and average salaries.

Interested in skilled trades and heavy equipment? Caterpillar offers a pre-apprenticeship program for high school juniors and seniors that combines online and hands-on training. Students can earn industry-recognized certifications and gain direct connections to the Operating Engineers union: an excellent pathway into high-demand careers in the trades. Click here for more information.

With Home Depot's Path to Pro program, a career in the trades has never been more attainable. Scholars can learn about jobsite safety, tools and construction materials, team building, communication skills, and the basics of the most in-demand trades for free! The Program is open to individuals who are at least 16 years old and have obtained permission from their parent or legal guardian. Click here for more information.

The World of 8 Billion Student Video Contest invites middle and high school students worldwide to take on the challenge of creating a 60-second video that explains how population growth affects one of this year’s three global topics and presents a creative, sustainable solution. Over 80 student winners will receive up to $1,200 in cash prizes. Mini grant opportunities for educators. Student submissions are due March 4, 2026. Click here for more information.

Calling all future business owners! On December 11, Oakland County Michigan Works! Novi is teaming up with Score Mentors for a workshop on creating your own business plan. RSVP here and prepare to learn how to build a business plan for today's market!

The Oakland County Acorn2Oak program offers grants to young individuals ages 8-18 who are passionate about making a difference. This initiative is designed to help youth bring their business ideas, community projects, educational goals, and extracurricular pursuits to life. Applicants can receive grants of up to $1,000 to support business development, community impact, educational achievements, and extracurricular activities. However, funds cannot be used for tuition, ongoing expenses, sporting equipment, or team registration fees. Don't miss out – the application deadline for this cycle is December 15th! Click here for more information.

Oakland County Michigan Works! helps youth ages 16-24 pursue internships year-round. Positions are available in a various industries at locations throughout Oakland County. If you would like to explore internship options with a career advisor, please complete the Oakland NEXT Application and select “Internship” as the program of interest. A career advisor will reach out to you directly to discuss available internship opportunities and help you move forward on your career pathway to success!

Students wanting to get involved in environmental advocacy should consider the offerings of Seaside Sustainability, which allows student interns from all over the world to join the fight for climate action in a remote environment. From writing and editing newsletters, to researching climate adaptation strategies, to devising strategies to improve environmental literacy, there are ways for everyone to get involved in saving our planet. Click here for more information.

The U.S. Department of State's Pathways Internship Program includes both the Internship Experience Program (IEP) and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP). Both programs are targeted toward U.S. citizens enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions from high school to graduate school and professional academic levels. Both programs provide students with opportunities to explore Federal careers while being paid for the work performed. Internship vacancy announcements are posted on USAJobs, year-round, on an as-needed basis with positions located across the United States. Click here for more information.

Gordon Food Service store is currently hiring Part-Time Store Associates to support their Royal Oak location. This is a great opportunity to provide superior customer service to your local community! Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Click here to apply.

McDonald’s in Oak Park is currently hiring Crew Team Members. They offer opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed every day. By offering industry-leading education programs and world-class training, they provide opportunities that inspire confidence and foster valuable skills to help employees thrive wherever they are on their journey. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Click here to apply.

The City of Livonia Parks & Recreation is offering several part-time positions for high school students ages 15 and older. Parks & Rec Level 1 contains the following positions:

• Athletic Attendant (must be at least 16 years old)
• Facility Attendant
• Fit Hub Attendant

Click here to apply.

Corewell Health is proud to offer job shadowing experiences for students ages 16 and above to observe a professional and ask questions about their career in a “hands-off” environment. These experiences are permitted up to 40 hours per calendar year. Please note that filling out the form does not guarantee placement, and they are unable to support job shadows with physicians at this time. Click here to express interest in a job shadow experience at Corewell Health.

McLaren Macomb is proud to offer a job shadowing/career observation experience for prospective healthcare students ages 16 and above to gain the experience to observe health-care employees in a workplace setting. Job shadows are typically only available Monday through Friday and are designed to be a one-time observation only for two (2) hours. Click here for more information and here to apply.

The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner's office is excited to offer job shadowing opportunities for interested persons, ages 16 and older, who are entering or actively participating in the workforce. This unique opportunity provides participants with the opportunity to observe a WRC employee performing their daily work routine in their environment. Their mission is to excite potential candidates about a career in the water industry by allowing them to explore a realistic picture of the tasks performed for a specific job. Participants will receive an official certificate of completion at the end of the job shadow. Submit Your Request for a Job Shadow

Forage is a risk-free way to explore careers with hundreds of free job simulations designed by the world's top employers. Practice your skills with example tasks and build your confidence to ace your applications virtually!

• In just a number of hours, complete a series tasks guided by pre-recorded videos and example answers from teams at leading companies.
• Earn a certificate and add it to your resume and LinkedIn as an extra curricular activity.
• Stand out in applications. Confidently answer interview questions and explain why you're a good fit.
• No live sessions, all self-paced, and no applications or experience required! Click here for more information.

It’s more than words on a page, it’s how you showcase your skills, show off your communication style, craft your professional summary, and make an amazing first impression. Think of it this way: your resume is your first interview. So, what story does yours tell? Check out these examples to get you started!

Imagine this: you’re in an elevator with someone important. What do you say before the doors open? Your 30-second elevator pitch is your secret weapon when networking : a quick, confident way to introduce yourself, share what you’re all about, and leave them wanting more. Ready to wow in half a minute? Let’s craft your perfect pitch here.

Mrs. Foster

Career and Education Navigator

University K-12 Academy

Counseling Office

Phone: 810-962-1505

autumn.foster@southfieldk12.org

Click Here to schedule a meeting with me