Our hope is that some of you have stumbled upon this blog post while searching for work, Googling dream jobs, or were referred to it by someone who learned of your job hunt. The Maine Career Exploration Program is here to help you find your way on the sometimes imposing journey into the workforce. What do you want to do? Do you have an idea about what you want to do, but aren’t sure whether you’d like it? What sorts of jobs are available in Maine? A 75-hour paid work experience can answer all these questions and more... but what exactly is it, and what do you have to gain from it?
What is a 75-hour Paid Work Experience?
The Maine Career Exploration Program can pay for up to 75 hours for work experience. Career exploration (work experience) can be many things: internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, work-based learning and more. This allows you the chance to build up the skills you need to succeed and get paid for it, while the employer can teach you freely without having to divert extra funds away from their business. Also, it’s important to note that the 75 hours of work can take place over weeks or months – the employer can work with your schedule.
Why Should I Do a 75-Hour Paid Work Experience?
The next question on your mind is more than likely why should you do a 75-hour paid work experience. Well, the answer is simple. Finding a career that you enjoy and actually want to pursue in the future can sometimes be a difficult task. Given this program caters to 16–24-year-olds, here's a few reasons why young people in Maine should participate in a 75-hour paid work experience:
For High School Students:
Whether you’re still working your way through high school or even graduating high school, you might not be sure what path you want to take in your future. Whether you go straight to college after high school or jump straight into the workforce, you’re faced with the same dilemma: do you know what would make you happy? What sort of thing would you enjoy, and what sort of job would you like learning about? The answers to these questions are not always clear, and this is where work-based learning comes in. If you’ve got an idea of something that could potentially interest you, working with an ELO Coordinator will allow them to try to find you a local partner to explore the career you’re thinking about.
For College Students:
Once you're at college, you still may not be sure what path you want to take in the future. Sure, you might have selected a major, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that is the career path you’re guaranteed to follow. Many college students change their major midway through their education, and some don’t even get jobs relating to the degree they earn. If you’re in college and have an undeclared major, or you’re rethinking whether the major you selected is the one you want to finish your education for, this is where a paid work experience can help you make up your mind. By working with Maine Career Exploration to find a career path that interests you, it may give you the push you need to change your major or personal pursuit to something you would find more interesting.
Young People Not in High School or College:
For young people not enrolled in school, work-based learning is also a perfect fit. Our community-based organization partners including Learning Works Youth Build, Eastern Maine Dev Corporation, Midcoast Youth Center, and Tree Street Youth can also work with you to find a paid work experience suited to what interests you. Employers are eager to work with your schedule so your other commitments won’t be jeopardized.
Success Stories:
Maine Career Exploration has numerous success stories of people just like you who went through the program and found a meaningful career or direction of education they wanted to pursue. From high school students deciding to pursue a career in law after their extended learning opportunity, to others deciding to work towards becoming fully licensed mechanics, there is always something for everyone.
To read more success stories in the Maine Career Exploration Program, check out our Participant Success Stories page here!