Discovering Paths encompasses the Lancaster Chamber’s career exploration, workforce readiness, and mentoring programming for students across Lancaster County.

Discovering Paths Mentoring Program

The Lancaster Chamber’s Discovering Paths Mentoring Program inspires, guides, and empowers high school juniors as they consider their next steps. Through positive one-on-one mentoring relationships with professionals across Lancaster County, critical business and industry connections, and experiential learning, the Discovering Paths Mentoring Program strengthens pathways for students within the Lancaster community.

2024-2025 Program Schedule:

2024-2025 Program Schedule

We need you, Lancaster!

Interested in serving as a mentor to guide the next generation of Lancaster’s leaders? Apply below!

What is the role of a mentor?

Mentors build one-on-one relationships with their mentees at the program’s monthly sessions, walk alongside their mentees throughout the program’s activities, and provide insight from their own experiences. Mentors offer guidance regarding career pathways in our community, listen intently, and ask thoughtful questions. Mentors encourage students to maximize the activities and opportunities available to them through the program and assist the students with scheduling and preparing for two job shadows.

By participating in the Discovering Paths Mentoring Program, mentors commit to:

• Attending a Mentor Training Session; 
• Participating in the 10 program sessions, including the Meet & Greet, in-school visit, and graduation;
• Completing the DISC self-assessment or reviewing past DISC results prior to the first session in order to understand how they relate to their mentee; and
• Completing a mid-point and post-program evaluation.

Mentors are required to: 

• Submit their PA Criminal Background Check and PA Child Abuse History Check clearances. If you have not lived in Pennsylvania consecutively for the last 10 years, you will need to have the FBI Federal Criminal History Background Check and Fingerprinting completed which will cost a small fee.
• Remain present and engaged at program sessions and encourage mentees to do the same; and
• Communicate in a timely manner to Chamber staff and volunteers regarding program participation, planned or unplanned absences, and the job shadowing process.

Next Steps & Registration

Completing this application is the next step in the process to becoming a mentor. we will evaluate mentor-mentee pairings at the beginning of the upcoming school year and let you know if we are able to provide you with the perfect match!

Once you’ve been selected, we will walk you through our registration process.

Registration costs $140

Sponsorship Opportunities

Join us in cultivating opportunities for Lancaster County’s high school students! Your support enables us to plan and execute monthly educational sessions for our partnering schools filled with engaging hands-on activities, interactive business tours, and exciting local speakers.

Interested in engaging your district with Discovering Paths?

Interested in engaging your district with the Discovering Paths Mentoring Program? We are happy to connect with you to incorporate your high school into our Discovering Paths Mentoring Program.

Learn more about the commitment here:

If you are interested in discussing adapting this program for your school district, please contact us. We’re happy to share our model, identify business champions, and support your adoption of this program to scale its impact to meet the needs of your student body. We can work with you to select which critical components you want to retain for your district, create meaningful connections with potential mentors and business partners, and support in the planning and development of your school’s implementation. Contact Ashley Glensor at aglensor@lancasterchamber.com.

Components to consider:

• Mentoring, at a ratio determined by our district partners
• Guest speakers representing a variety of industries and career paths
• Job shadowing and/or business tours
• Employer/Career fair, with a focus on businesses in your district offering part-time summer employment and internships
• Career readiness preparation, such as interviewing and employability skills
• Guest speakers representing a variety of industries and career paths
• StrengthsFinder and DISC profile integration with team-building activities

Discovering Paths Student Industry Tours

The Lancaster Chamber offers high school juniors from participating schools the opportunity to explore specific industries. The Student Industry Tours are designed to provide students with tours of two to three businesses in their local area within a sector.

 Through Discovering Paths Student Industry Tours, students will learn about businesses operating in their backyard and the variety of career opportunities available in the targeted industry!

Discovering Paths Student Industry Tours are focused on:

• Healthcare
• Tourism, Hospitality, & Entertainment
• Skilled Trades
• Manufacturing & STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics).

Discovering Paths Workshops

Lancaster County school districts participating in Discovering Paths can request career readiness workshops from the Lancaster Chamber and accompanying business professionals adapted to suit the school’s interests and curriculum.

Throughout the Chamber’s Discovering Paths programming, we’ve developed career readiness workshops aligned with educational requirements and business needs. Our offerings include:

• CRL! High 5 Career Readiness Skills
• Networking 101
• Developing Your Pitch
• Building Your Resume
• Interview Ready
• Personal Finance
• Conflict Resolution
• Communication in the Workplace
• Time Management

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