When you make a difference in the life of a young person, you create a better future. I know because I’m lucky enough to experience it every day as a teacher for the UcanB program. With UcanB, I provide career skills education for students who wouldn’t otherwise have access to it. I connect communities, employers, and schools to provide economic opportunities for students and their parents. I am helping to build a strong, revitalized Pittsburgh region, for today and tomorrow.
The best part is, you can join in. I’d like to personally invite you to learn more about this incredible program, and how you can make a difference for young people right here in our region.
UcanB is a unique hands-on career education program for students in grades 6-12. Consisting of over 76 weeks of customizable curriculum, UcanB focuses on in-demand fields, STEM careers, entrepreneurship, and soft skills like leadership, teamwork, and time management. Schools choose the areas that are the best fit for their students and communities, and UcanB brings teachers, business and civic leaders, and our unique “Coffee With…” series, that includes interviews with entrepreneurs in a wide array of industries. Students participate in classes, small group projects, mentorship, and portfolio building. During the program, students have the opportunity to interact face-to-face with mentors in the career fields they want to pursue, asking questions and getting real world insight into the most in-demand industries in our region.
I’d love to share with you what our students are saying about the UcanB program and the difference it’s making in their lives today. Here are some reactions from students who have experienced UcanB:
“I believe that the speakers were helpful and well spoken. The topic of health care careers was most helpful to me. I want to be a paramedic. I believe that I have more understanding of my career plans. They did address me and answered my questions and that was appreciated. I also liked how they saw the potential in each and every one of us. They actually believe in people like us. They came to encourage us. We need more speakers like these.” M.B. Shaler High School
“I want to get a career that I LOVE!! I learned this through the UcanB classes. My next step is to explore internships in an interesting field.” 11th Grade Propel student
U can B Teacher, 2018
