Connecting Students to Career Pathways: CSF Scholars from Evergreen High School Visit Brighton Jones
They say, “you don’t know what you don’t know,” and for many high schoolers, thinking about a future career can seem daunting with so many potential career paths to take. That’s why hands-on, career exploration experiences are so important. When students get a chance to feel out a career in a professional space and meet people in those positions and ask questions, interest in a career field or a specific job can be sparked.
Recently, College Success Foundation Scholars, juniors and seniors from Evergreen High School, had the opportunity to spend the day at Brighton Jones, a Seattle-founded national wealth management firm with a deep commitment to community impact, for a Career Exploration Day. For Brighton Jones, investing in the next generation isn’t a side project; it’s part of who they are.
“Hosting CSF Scholars at Brighton Jones was a genuine joy for our team,” shared Corporate Impact Manager Alea Campbell. “We loved opening our doors, sharing the many ways a career in finance can take shape, and connecting with students about their values and passions. Our partnership with CSF has always meant a great deal to us, and we’re thrilled to continue expanding it.”
Throughout the day, students were introduced to the many career pathways that exist within Brighton Jones. The visit began with an overview of the company, giving students insight into what wealth management and financial planning are and the different roles that make a business run and be successful.
Students heard from Brighton Jones employees during two engaging career panel presentations featuring professionals from their Human Resources, IT, Operations, Accounting, Recruiting, Legal, Marketing, Advising, and Office Management departments. Panelists shared personal stories about their educational journeys and the experiences that shaped their careers. Students then had the opportunity to participate in small group discussions and interactive activities, allowing them to ask questions directly and better understand what a typical workday looks like in different professions.
The day also included a financial education curriculum session, where students explored topics like budgeting and the importance of planning for the future. In group resume-building activities, students learned how to highlight their strengths and accomplishments in professional ways that can help prepare them for future college opportunities, internships, and jobs.
Students also participated in vision board activities, encouraging them to think about their ultimate goals in life and in their careers. Games and team-building activities brought energy and fun to the experience while helping students build connections with one another.
“Being able to experience being in an office setting was a valuable opportunity for our students to build confidence, ask questions, and imagine seeing themselves in a professional space one day,” shared CSF Advisor Kalehua Faletogo. “By the end of the day, students had a much stronger understanding of the wide range of career pathways available within the fields of business and finance.”
We are grateful to our partners at Brighton Jones for investing their time and knowledge into creating such a meaningful experience for CSF Scholars. By opening their doors, they helped students take an important step toward imagining what their futures could look like. Thank you!
If you would like to learn more about corporate partnership opportunities for your business, which can connect your employees with CSF Scholars for career exploration activities, reach out to us anytime at donors@collegesuccessfoundation.org.