Mentoring Program
On-Site Career Exploration Programs
YCAL collaborates with business partners to offer High School students cost-free opportunities for career exploration, enhancing their comprehension of necessary training, education, and professional expectations. Availability of spots in On-Site Career Exploration Programs is limited, and applications must be submitted by the deadline. Students are encouraged to work with their school’s representative for YCAL programs to discuss their plans. Students will then be notified via email if they have been accepted into the program 2 weeks before start of program.
Please note: While most programs are open to students in grades 9-12, seats are limited, and students will be accepted based on seniority and then order of application received.
CLICK HERE for an Upcoming Program Preview
Career Exploration Programs are presented in part through a Business Education Partnership grant from SCPa Works and a THRIVE grant from The York County Community Foundation. We thank them for their support of our programs!
| Program Host | Program Name | Date | Description | Career Cluster | Grade Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Psychology | 10/8/2025 | Psychology offers career opportunities for those who have a passionate for wanting to understand human behavior and helping others. These careers are in high demand and can have a huge impact on the lives of those that you serve. Hosted by York College of Pennsylvania, this session will cover the different fields of study, types of careers available, and the education, training, and certifications needed to enter this career path. | Health Science | 9-12 |
 | Veterinary | 10/9/2025 | Explore a career in veterinary medicine and discover a fulfilling path that blends science, compassion, and the opportunity to make a real difference. Beyond just caring for puppies and kittens, the field offers diverse specializations and work environments. YTI Career Institute will welcome you into their Veterinary Technician labs and be your guide to explore what is needed to be successful in this field. | Health Science; Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources | 9-12 |
 | Aviation | 10/17/2025 | Piedmont Airlines is committed to training the next generation of aviation professionals and offers many pathways to achieve this. If you are interested in workin in or around aircrafts you should attend this program to learn more about aviation maintance, piloting and dispatch career fields. | Transportation, Distribution & Logistics | 9-12 |
 | Government | 10/14/2025 | This local government program will explore the various jobs available in local government. This will cover administration, legal system, and ecomonic development from various departments. This program is hosted by York County government human resources. | Government & Public Administration | 9-12 |
 | Healthcare | 10/15/2025 | Healthcare careers encompass a diverse range of roles dedicated to promoting, maintaining, and restoring individuals' health and well-being. This program highlights several healthcare career pathways such as nursing, respiratory care, and surgical technology and highlights the required training and education needed to enter this field. Students will have the opportunity to engage in several medical simulations, so be prepared to participate! | Health Science | 9-12 |
 | Court Reporting | 10/21/2025 | Court reporting involves creating precise verbatim records of legal proceedings like trials and depositions using stenographic machines or voice-recognition technology. These records are necessary for legal documentation and maintaining accurate reference records This interactive program, hosted by York County’s Court Reporters, will discuss the skills and specialized training needed to be successful in this career field. If court scheduling allows, students will get to witness a court reporter in action during a court case. | Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security | 9-12 |
 | Marketing & Social Media | 10/24/2025 | The field of marketing covers many different roles in promoting a company or product, such as social media and digital content production, traditional print advertising, public relations, client relationship management, logo design, promotional writing, and website design. Hosted by Fuhrman Creative, this program provides an overview of the important roles and career opportunities in the field of Marketing and Social Media and will allow students to design a promotional plan and present it to the group. | Marketing | 9-12 |
 | Law | 10/28/2025 | Attorneys provide legal advice, represent clients inside and outside of the court room, and advocate for justice. Many attorneys are also backed up by a team of support staff such as paralegals and legal assistants. Hosted by attorneys from Stock and Leader, this program will allow students to explore the skills and education required to work in the legal system, expand their knowledge on the different types of legal practice, apply their knowledge in small groups to work through various case studies. | Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security | 9-12 |
 | Performing Arts | 10/29/2025 | Careers in performance arts extend beyond the stage and offer a wide variety of creative opportunities. Roles include stage and light production, costume and set creation as well as taletn management and booking. The staff at The Appell Center will share the future of these careers and how to land your dream job in performance arts. | Arts, A/V Technology & Communications | 9-12 |
 | Automotive Industry | 11/05/2025 | Automotive technicians are dedicated to the service and maintenance of vehicles that keep the world moving. Without their work in keeping our vehicles working safely, we wouldn’t get to school, work, and play! Hosted by Hanover Auto Team, this program will allow students to get an inside look at a multi-dealership operation and leave with a better understanding of the variety of career paths available in this industry including service, parts, sales and more. Universal Technical Institute will be on hand to discuss educational and training options too! | Transportation, Distribution & Logistics; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics | 9-12 |
 | Agriculture | 11/07/2025 | Agriculture is the cultivation of crops, the raising of livestock, and the production of various food and non-food products essential for survival. It is instrumental in providing food security, raw materials, employment opportunities, and environmental and ecological systems. Hosted by Flinchbaugh’s and Penn State Extension’s Agronomy program, this event will provide students with an overview of agricultural activities like crop production, soil management, and retail farm operations. Students should dress to participate in activities on the farm! | Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources | 9-12 |
 | Financial Services | 11/12/2025 | Financial services covers a wide-range of activities that provide economic services related to money management. These services include banking, investing, insurance, and more! Whether it’s a big business, a small business, or you as an individual, you will need someone working in the financial services field to save and spend money. Hosted by one of the areas leaders in their area, this program will take a closer look at the inner-workings of a credit union and will feature various speakers in different parts of the financial services sector. | Finance | 9-12 |
 | Entrepeneurship | 11/13/2025 | This program will give an overview of the field of entrenpreurship and skills needed to be successful. Students will have the opportunity to interact with local entrepreneurs. This program is hosted by the York County Economic Alliance and York College of Pennsylvania. | Business Management & Administration | 9-12 |
 | Accounting | 11/14/2025 | Accountants help to prepare and examine financial records, identify potential areas of opportunity and risk, and provide solutions for businesses and individuals. Accuracy is incredibly important as they ensure that financial records are correct, risk is evaluated, and taxes are paid. Hosted by one of the areas leading accounting firms, this program will explore the various type of accounting career paths and help students determine not only IF they want to be an accountant, but what field of accounting are they best suited to pursue. | Finance | 9-12 |
 | Criminal Justice Forensics | 11/19/2025 | Criminal justice careers include many different roles that help to maintain order, uphold the law, and ensure accountability in our society. Through investigating and addressing crimes, apprehending offenders, and administrating justice, those working in this field contribute to our communities safety, security, and well-being. Coordinated by York County’s District Attorney’s office, this program will include various speakers in law enforcement to provide students with a variety of career paths that can be pursued in this field. | Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security | 9-12 |
 | Media Careers | 11/20/2025 | Careers in media play a coordinated effort in disseminating information, shaping narratives, and influencing perceptions. Through various mediums, these individuals can inspire, educate, and provoke thought, contributing to society’s awareness of the world around them. Host by Fox 43, this program will dive into a variety of fields on both sides of the camera from production, journalism, and media sales. Students must have transportation to and from the two meeting locations at Penn State York, and Fox 43's studios. | Arts, A/V Technology & Communications | 9-12 |
 | Healthcare Careers in Orthopaedics | 12/3/2025 | Healthcare provides a multitude of career opportunities to explore including positions that require years of schooling to entry level positions that allow for on-the-job training. Hosted by OSS Health, students will learn more about the various jobs available in healthcare and specifically in orthopaedic care. Students will be invited to participate in hands-on demonstration from a physical therapist and athletic trainer, hear from a panel of healthcare employees, and tour the medical facility. | Healthcare | 9-12 |
Virtual Career Exploration Programs
Throughout 2020-2021, YCAL offered over 25 Virtual Career Exploration Programs that were made available for students to attend live and interactively, or to view on-demand at a later date. This library of content has been moved to YCAL’s YouTube page as of Summer of 2023. A full playlist of the 26 available programs can be found by CLICKING HERE.