Career exploration starts when scholars can connect what they’re learning to real people and real pathways.
Recently, 18 Open Doors Academy high school summer interns participated in a two-hour career exploration session with volunteers from Progressive. The session began with an “Insurance 101” introduction, helping scholars build foundational knowledge about an industry many had only encountered from the outside.
From there, the experience shifted into a dynamic “career speed-dating” format, where Progressive team members rotated between small groups of scholars, sharing their roles, answering questions, and offering insight into their career journeys.
For many scholars, the biggest takeaway was how expansive both the insurance field and their career options can be.
“I learned you can literally insure anything,” high school scholar Heaven M. said. “And there are lots of paths to finding a job in insurance. I learned I could find a way in from almost any other career.”
Scholar Emmanuel O. was struck by the variety of fields within insurance.
“I thought you could only work in a couple, like health insurance and car insurance, but there’s way more.”
That sense of possibility is exactly what Progressive hoped to inspire.
The focus of the session was to give scholars space to explore, ask questions, and learn from experiences both inside and outside of Progressive.
“Even one conversation can plant a seed, build confidence, or help someone see a future for themselves that they may not have considered before,” said Tiffany Glaspy, Community Involvement Specialist at Progressive.
Tony Kless, an IT Manager at Progressive, agreed. “I’ve found that there’s nothing more rewarding than helping young people get started on a promising career path, knowing that I may be able to make a lasting impact on someone’s quality of life. I think that’s what Open Doors Academy is all about.”
Opportunities like this are made possible through companies like Progressive, who connect scholars to real-world experiences and help them see new possibilities for their future.
Interested in helping scholars explore careers and prepare for their futures? To learn more about volunteering or partnering with Open Doors Academy, contact Joe Hollings, Senior Director of Engagement at jhollings@odacle.org.
