Readiness Institute Blog

This week learners at the Readiness Institute Summer Program discovered that people from all backgrounds, careers, and personalities are needed to make the world go round — and to go to the moon. Learners focused on the theme “Future Career Pathways” while taking tests to explore their behaviors, asking questions about tech and space careers, ranking elements of job satisfaction, and visiting some engaging sites around Pittsburgh.

From making change in the community to making cars in the classroom, learners explored new pathways during cycle two of the Readiness Institute Summer Program, which featured a theme of “Digital Fluency” and focused on how to gather information, communicate ideas, and make choices (and positive change) in a digital and connected world.

The summer program is in its second year and offers rising high school seniors an opportunity to identify and create their own pathways for the future. They’ll hear from local and national leaders, engage in relevant discussions, and explore the city — and get paid while doing it.

Brian Cuban, author, speaker, activist, and attorney, recently sat down with Justin Aglio, executive director of the Readiness Institute, and talked about his personal experiences that led him to his current work as a Dallas-based attorney and activist for mental health and eating disorders.

The Energy Innovation Center, home of the Readiness Institute at Penn State, hosted the 2022 Three Rivers Educational Technology Council (TRETC) from Sunday, January 16, through Tuesday, January 18.

Our October Speaker Series webinar focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Karen Armstrong, director of inclusion, diversity, and equity for Penn State Outreach and Online Education, shared the importance of DEI in business and communities.

PITTSBURGH — Forty-five high school seniors from 22 Allegheny County high schools, and more than 30 education, industry, and community collaborators, became one team as the Readiness Institute (RI) at Penn State launched its inaugural Summer Program at the Penn State Center Pittsburgh. Several of the students who completed the Summer Program have now been accepted…

History was made this week, as we wrapped up our inaugural Summer Program! Our last week of the program focused on soft skills, which are the interpersonal skills — such as communication, emotional intelligence, and problem solving — that help set all of us up for success in any situation.

This past week, our Summer Program learners experienced technology of the future, toured multiple organizations, and served the local community while engaging in mindful activities in nearby parks.

Week five of our Summer Program focused on entrepreneurship, and learners explored a wide variety of career and entrepreneurship opportunities and experienced first-hand the importance of diverse networks when expanding their future career and personal pathways.