WHAT'S NEW
Introducing Our Exciting New Podcast:
Inside Out-of-School Time
From Engagement to Impact: Building Youth Workforce Pathways in Afterschool
In Part 2 of the conversation with the Missouri AfterSchool Network, Mark Cowsert, the network’s associate director of partnerships, shares how statewide strategy, strong partnerships, and data-driven decision-making are shaping youth workforce development across Missouri.
Building on his experience as a 21st CCLC program director, Mark highlights how Missouri has expanded opportunities for middle and high school students through intentional investments, resource alignment, and a focus on quality.
This episode explores how programs can better engage older youth through voice and choice, real-world experiences, and career-connected learning. Mark also shares insights on the importance of attendance and engagement, the role of partnerships in scaling impact, and how afterschool programs can serve as a critical space for students to explore career pathways.
Whether you’re just getting started or you’re looking to grow your approach, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiration for strengthening youth workforce initiatives in out-of-school time.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Missouri Afterschool Network Resource Library (Career Awareness & Youth Entrepreneurship): https://moafterschool.org/resource-library
- VentureLab (Entrepreneurship Curriculum & Tools): https://venturelab.org
- 220 Youth Leadership (Leadership Development Programs): https://www.220leadership.com
To see more Inside Out-of-School Time podcast episodes, click here.
Spotlight on OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME: BEYOND SCHOOL HOURS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Career Life Skills for All Students
Jennie Noonkester from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, explains afterschool and summer programs offered by her career and technical education department, highlighting ways these programs support at-risk students. Examples of programming include interview etiquette; community projects; and career experiences in fields such as auto repair, barbering, and day care.
Career Partnerships for Kids
Danielle Bland from Richland School District Two in Columbia, South Carolina, describes her district's program called Career for Kids, which leverages partnerships to provide a breadth of career presentations for students.
Student Perspective: The Afterschool Family
Jazlyn Jackson, from a non-21st CCLC program, shares a student’s perspective on how her afterschool program feels like a second family and provides a sense of safety, underscoring the value of out-of-school time programs in supporting youth regardless of how they are funded.
College and Career Connections for Rural Students
Becca Burnfin from Garden City, Kansas, describes some ways her summer and afterschool programs make connections to college and careers for students in rural communities.
