Milton Hershey School Students Explore Postsecondary Options

Milton Hershey School’s Graduate Programs for Success offers a variety of opportunities for Senior Division students to explore postsecondary options.

During the fall and spring semesters, students visited with representatives of partner colleges and universities during their lunch period and at the annual Postsecondary Fair on March 6. They also participated in in-person visits to GPS Partner School campuses throughout the year.

The Postsecondary Fair connected students with representatives from two- and four-year programs and the Hershey entities. Students talked one-on-one with the representatives and discussed how to best position themselves for long-term success.

To personalize the experience, partner school representatives were assigned to individual classrooms. There, they presented information and answered questions from students.

During the fair, MHS 11th-grader Faith Flores visited with representatives from four Partner Schools, Lebanon Valley College, Susquehanna University, Shippensburg University, and Temple University. She said the fair was helpful for her postsecondary planning.

“At the presentations, I liked how they were all friendly and open to questions,” Flores said. “I learned what I was or wasn’t looking for in a college.”

Similarly, several of the representatives agreed the classroom format was beneficial. Christina Williams, from Millersville University, said she liked being assigned to a classroom.

“It’s a little more private and intimate. And, students can ask questions,” she said, noting that the students in her sessions were engaged and had good questions.

Tristan Hamilton from York College agreed the classroom setting provided enhanced interaction with the students.

“I felt like I was able to have more conversation with the kids,” Hamilton said, adding the students came prepared with questions related to college majors and the types of support the college provides to students to help them prepare for their intended careers.

GPS Partner Schools demonstrate support for MHS graduates, offer first-generation programming, and work with MHS support specialists to help MHS graduates stay on track with their education.

Key components of the career readiness process at MHS are self-awareness and career awareness. Events like the Postsecondary Fair help students become aware of the range of options to help them prepare for majors and/or careers of interest to them. MHS college and career counselors play an integral role within this process. They work closely with high school students to develop career preparation plans that align with students’ personalities, skills, and aptitudes.