Student Leadership
and Career Preparation

Aspire has successfully implemented leadership and career preparation programs with over 3,000 middle and high school students since 2003. Our programs offer valuable opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and community impact. Through hands-on learning, employer tours and mentorship, students gain practical experience in problem-solving and decision-making, which prepares them for future challenges in both academic and professional settings. Students receive guidance on resume building, interview techniques, workplace etiquette, and labor market information to equip them with the essential tools for entering the job market.

Student Career Exploration Programs

Student Career Prep Academies help high school students develop skills for employment and gain exposure to various career options they might not otherwise consider. Our programs include powerful presentations, interactive learning opportunities, leadership activities, group projects and employer tours. We currently offer the following Career Prep Academies:

  • PFKF Summer Career Prep Academy, in collaboration with Partners for Kids and Families, addresses the issue of lack of job readiness among youth and young adults enrolled in the CMO. The program introduces students, ages 16-21, to key in-demand industries and careers that align with their interests and strengths. The program is a week-long, full day experience, including classroom based essential workplace readiness skills and employer visits and tours.
  • Rancocas Valley Career Prep Academy is an after-school program providing (4) small group cohots with (6) weekly sessions. The curriculum incudes essential workplace readiness training, as well as career exploration activities. Employer tours allow for more hands-on experiential learning. This program is funded through the Department of Human Services.
  • Career Prep Academy Lunch and Learn Sessions occur at select high schools throughout Burlington County. Aspire staff will provide lunch and teach a  lesson on a different workplace readiness topic during students’ lunch periods. This program is funded through NJ Department of Children and Families.

Student Leadership Institute

The Student Leadership Institute (SLI) prepares influential young people to make positive choices and set the tone among their peers. SLI allows students to leverage their skills as peer leaders to create a cultural shift toward avoidance of drug and alcohol usage. Using an evidence-based curriculum, students gain a comprehensive knowledge of the impact of substance use on their health and future. Students are equipped with key leadership skills such as advocacy, effective communication, public speaking, decision making and positively influencing others. This program is brought to Burlington County middle and high school students at no costs through funding provided by the NJ Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services and administered locally through the Burlington County Office of Human Services.

Past Participating Schools:

High Schools

  • Rancocas Valley
  • Bordentown
  • Burlington City
  • Burlington Township
  • Willingboro
  • Seneca
  • Lenape
  • Cheroke
  • Moorestown
  • BCIT Medford
  • BCIT Westampton
  • Palmya

Middle Schools

  • Bordentown Middle
  • Burlington Township Middle School
  • Holbein
  • Burlington City Junior HS
  • William Allen
  • Harrington

Previous Leadership Trainings