Inside the IGNITE Program Experience
Our Formula For Success
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The IGNITE Four Pillars shape how the program is built and delivered through: Representation, Exposure, Immersion, and Experience.
1. Representation
1. Representation
1. Representation
Representation is about visibility, voice, and validation. This pillar ensures that diverse identities, especially from historically under-resourced communities are seen, heard, and centered in every space we touch. Through mentorship, storytelling, leadership development, and active advocacy, we cultivate confidence and leadership in those too often overlooked. We believe representation isn’t symbolic, it’s structural, and it starts with presence in places where decisions are made.
2. Exposure
1. Representation
1. Representation
This pillar opens the doors to opportunity. Exposure gives participants access to new environments, industries, experiences, and thought leaders they may not have previously encountered. It’s about broadening horizons and planting seeds of possibility through site visits, panels, shadowing opportunities, and curated events that illuminate what’s achievable. When young people see it, they begin to believe it.
3. Immersion
4. Experience
4. Experience
Immersion takes learning to the next level by placing participants directly inside the experience. It’s about full engagement not just observation. Through hands-on workshops, cultural exchanges, collaborative projects and activities, we give individuals the chance to apply what they learn in dynamic, real-world-inspired settings. Immersion builds confidence, practical skills, and a deep connection to both the content and community.
4. Experience
4. Experience
4. Experience
Experience is the culmination of opportunity, skill-building, and identity. This pillar ensures participants walk away with tangible achievements, empowered self-awareness, and narratives of success they can carry into future opportunities. Whether through portfolio development, public speaking, service learning, or leadership challenges, we ensure each participant leaves with inspiration and impact.
Each season of the IGNITE Program is shaped first and foremost by the voices of our participants. We begin by gathering insights through interest surveys to understand what sparks curiosity, where questions exist, and which paths feel out of reach.
From there, we layer in three guiding principles to finalize the five career categories for each track:
- Relevance – We prioritize industries that reflect current trends, future job markets, and growing areas of opportunity.
- Representation Gaps – We intentionally highlight fields where individuals from underresourced communities have historically been excluded or underrepresented.
- Real-World Potential – We look for paths that not only inform, but expand worldviews, challenge assumptions, and help participants see themselves in spaces they may not have previously considered possible.
This process ensures that every IGNITE track is intentional, inclusive, and thoughtfully curated to align with students’ curiosities and areas where we believe expanded access can nurture sustainable impact.
AEROSPACE
Aviation
Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT)
Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT)
Inside the Cockpit:
Experience what it takes to lead from the sky through hands-on activities, communication drills, and flight planning.
- Flight Lab: Discover the fundamentals of flight through interactive and exploratory activities.
- Path to Pilot: Learn about licensing, certifications, and career paths in commercial, private, and mili
Inside the Cockpit:
Experience what it takes to lead from the sky through hands-on activities, communication drills, and flight planning.
- Flight Lab: Discover the fundamentals of flight through interactive and exploratory activities.
- Path to Pilot: Learn about licensing, certifications, and career paths in commercial, private, and military aviation.
- Hangar Visit Experience: Step inside a working hangar to explore aircraft up close and meet aviation professionals in the field.
Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT)
Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT)
Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT)
Under the Wings:
Discover the skills and tools that keep aircraft running safely and efficiently, from engines to electronics.
- Maintenance Lab: Explore how technicians inspect, troubleshoot, and repair aircraft systems.
- Tools of the Trade: Get hands-on with the equipment used in mechanical and safety checks.
- Behind the Scenes: Learn how
Under the Wings:
Discover the skills and tools that keep aircraft running safely and efficiently, from engines to electronics.
- Maintenance Lab: Explore how technicians inspect, troubleshoot, and repair aircraft systems.
- Tools of the Trade: Get hands-on with the equipment used in mechanical and safety checks.
- Behind the Scenes: Learn how aviation mechanics support flight safety and keep planes airworthy.
Drone Operation
Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT)
Drone Operation
Eyes in the Sky:
Learn how to harness the power of unmanned aerial systems in careers ranging from media to emergency response.
- Drone Flight School: Master drone piloting, aerial navigation, and safe flying practices.
- Mission Ready: Discover applications in filmmaking, agriculture, inspections, and search & rescue.
BUSINESS
Entreprenurship
Sports Enterprise
Sports Enterprise
Shaping Leaders from Ambition to Impact:
Turn passions into business ideas that solve real-world problems.
- Digital Strategies: Leverage social media, e-commerce, and tech tools to grow your brand.
- Startup Mindset: Embrace adaptability, creativity, and resilience to thrive.
- Branding & Connections: Build a strong personal brand and strategic network.
Sports Enterprise
Sports Enterprise
Sports Enterprise
The Game Behind the Game:
Explore how branding, marketing, and sponsorships power sports beyond the field.
- Visual Storytelling: Capture powerful moments through sports photography and videography.
- Athlete Branding:Learn how athletes build influence through social media and endorsements.
- Events & Merchandising: Understand how events and gear drive revenue and brand loyalty.
Finance
Sports Enterprise
Finance
Smart Money Moves:
Gain essential skills for managing money, building wealth, and navigating today’s financial world.
- Wealth-Building Basics: Explore stocks, crypto, and investment strategies to grow your financial future.
- Budget Like a Boss: Learn how to budget, save, and manage credit with confidence and clarity.
- Financial Psychology: Und
Smart Money Moves:
Gain essential skills for managing money, building wealth, and navigating today’s financial world.
- Wealth-Building Basics: Explore stocks, crypto, and investment strategies to grow your financial future.
- Budget Like a Boss: Learn how to budget, save, and manage credit with confidence and clarity.
- Financial Psychology: Understand the emotions behind money decisions and develop smarter financial habits.
CULINARY ARTS & EXPRESSION
Culinary Foundation
Culinary Foundation
Culinary Foundation
From Kitchen to Craft:
Develop foundational techniques and kitchen confidence through hands-on cooking, prep work, and food safety practices.
- Kitchen Lab: Learn essential culinary techniques like chopping, sautéing, and measuring ingredients.
- Prep & Tools: Get familiar with common kitchen tools and how to prepare ingredients efficiently.
From Kitchen to Craft:
Develop foundational techniques and kitchen confidence through hands-on cooking, prep work, and food safety practices.
- Kitchen Lab: Learn essential culinary techniques like chopping, sautéing, and measuring ingredients.
- Prep & Tools: Get familiar with common kitchen tools and how to prepare ingredients efficiently.
- Safe Cooking: Understand key food safety, sanitation, and proper kitchen procedures.
Food & Culture
Culinary Foundation
Culinary Foundation
Flavor of Culture:
Explore how food connects to identity, history, and creativity across different cultures and communities.
- Cultural Kitchen: Discover ingredients and dishes that represent global food traditions.
- Story on a Plate: Learn how chefs express personal and cultural narratives through food.
- Creative Plating: Experiment with color, shape, and presentation to turn meals into visual art.
Culinary Careers
Culinary Foundation
Culinary Careers
From Kitchen to Career:
Explore the diverse career paths within the food industry, from professional kitchens to entrepreneurship and hospitality.
- Behind the Line: Get a glimpse into the fast-paced world of restaurant kitchens and culinary teams.
- Chef’s Journey: Learn how culinary professionals build careers in catering, food service, and
From Kitchen to Career:
Explore the diverse career paths within the food industry, from professional kitchens to entrepreneurship and hospitality.
- Behind the Line: Get a glimpse into the fast-paced world of restaurant kitchens and culinary teams.
- Chef’s Journey: Learn how culinary professionals build careers in catering, food service, and beyond.
- Industry Pathways: Discover opportunities in hospitality, food entrepreneurship, and culinary management.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Marine Energy
Environmental Science
Sustainable Energy
Power the Deep:
Dive into emerging careers that harness power from the ocean and protect coastal ecosystems.
- Ocean Power Lab: Explore how energy is captured from waves, tides, and currents.
- Tech Beneath the Surface: Learn how engineers use underwater tools and turbines.
- Blue Energy Careers: Discover marine-based careers in clean energy, oceanography, and conservation.
Sustainable Energy
Environmental Science
Sustainable Energy
Watts Next:
Explore careers that promote eco-friendly habits, waste reduction, and green innovation.
- Eco Habits: Learn how daily actions connect to sustainability and conservation.
- Green Innovators: Discover jobs in recycling, composting, and sustainable product design.
- Smart Choices: Explore careers in urban planning, sustainable fashion, and food systems.
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Field Science:
Study how the natural world works and the people working to protect it.
- Field Explorers: Learn how scientists study air, water, and ecosystems.
- Conservation Crew: Discover careers in habitat protection, forestry, and resource management.
- Data for Nature: See how researchers use technology to track and respond to environmental change.
ENGINEERING
Mechanical
Architectural Design
Architectural Design
Build to Solve:
Explore careers that focus on designing and building machines, engines, and tools that power the world.
- Design Lab: Learn how engineers use 3D models and drawings to bring machines to life.
- Moving Parts: Discover careers in mechanical engineering, automotive systems, and manufacturing.
- Problem Solvers: Understand how mach
Build to Solve:
Explore careers that focus on designing and building machines, engines, and tools that power the world.
- Design Lab: Learn how engineers use 3D models and drawings to bring machines to life.
- Moving Parts: Discover careers in mechanical engineering, automotive systems, and manufacturing.
- Problem Solvers: Understand how machine design helps solve real-world challenges, from transportation to robotics.
Architectural Design
Architectural Design
Architectural Design
Structures in Form:
Discover the people behind the buildings we live, work, and learn in, from sketches to construction.
- Plan & Design: Explore how architects and draftspeople plan spaces that are functional and inspiring.
- City Builders: Learn about careers in architecture, urban planning, and sustainable design.
- From Paper to Reality: S
Structures in Form:
Discover the people behind the buildings we live, work, and learn in, from sketches to construction.
- Plan & Design: Explore how architects and draftspeople plan spaces that are functional and inspiring.
- City Builders: Learn about careers in architecture, urban planning, and sustainable design.
- From Paper to Reality: See how blueprints, codes, and models lead to real-world structures.
Product & Packaging
Architectural Design
Product & Packaging
Designed to Use:
Learn how everyday items, from sneakers to snack wrappers; are designed to be useful, appealing, and sustainable.
- Product Lab: Dive into careers in industrial design, product testing, and engineering innovation.
- Smart Packaging: Discover how packaging engineers design for safety, function, and sustainability.
- User First:
Designed to Use:
Learn how everyday items, from sneakers to snack wrappers; are designed to be useful, appealing, and sustainable.
- Product Lab: Dive into careers in industrial design, product testing, and engineering innovation.
- Smart Packaging: Discover how packaging engineers design for safety, function, and sustainability.
- User First: Learn how designers make products that solve problems and fit into people’s lives.
HEALTH SCIENCE
Medical
Imaging & Diagnostics
Medical Support
Hands that Heal:
Discover what it takes to work on the front lines of healthcare, from check-ups to emergency care.
- Clinic Lab: Learn how nurses, medical assistants, and doctors support patient wellness.
- Provider Pathways: Explore different routes into medical careers, including EMT, CNA, and MD.
- Vitals in Action: Practice basic health checks like blood pressure, pulse, and temperature readings.
Medical Support
Imaging & Diagnostics
Medical Support
Conception to Healing:
Explore careers that focus on helping others through life's most sensitive moments, from childbirth to recovery.
- Support Roles: Learn about doulas, midwives, and patient advocates who offer emotional and physical care.
- Voice & Communication: Discover careers like speech therapy and language intervention.
- Whole-Pers
Conception to Healing:
Explore careers that focus on helping others through life's most sensitive moments, from childbirth to recovery.
- Support Roles: Learn about doulas, midwives, and patient advocates who offer emotional and physical care.
- Voice & Communication: Discover careers like speech therapy and language intervention.
- Whole-Person Healing: Explore how these roles help with recovery, development, and lifelong support.
Imaging & Diagnostics
Imaging & Diagnostics
Imaging & Diagnostics
Inside the Body:
Uncover careers that help diagnose and understand the body through cutting-edge medical technology.
- Scan Lab: Explore how X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs give doctors a clearer picture.
- Diagnostic Tech: Learn about careers like radiologic technologist and sonographer.
- From Images to Insight: See how imaging supports everything from broken bones to prenatal care.
Wellness
Oral Health
Oral Health
Body & Image:
Dive into the growing field of personal health, skincare, and wellness services that support confidence and well-being.
- Wellness Studio: Learn about careers in esthetics, skincare, and facial treatments.
- Holistic Health: Explore how wellness professionals support both appearance and health.
- Self-Care Careers: Discover roles
Body & Image:
Dive into the growing field of personal health, skincare, and wellness services that support confidence and well-being.
- Wellness Studio: Learn about careers in esthetics, skincare, and facial treatments.
- Holistic Health: Explore how wellness professionals support both appearance and health.
- Self-Care Careers: Discover roles in spas, clinics, and wellness centers that focus on personal care.
Oral Health
Oral Health
Oral Health
Smile Science:
Explore the art and science of dental care, from prevention and hygiene to restoration and oral health careers.
- Tooth Tech: Learn about the tools and skills used by dental hygienists, assistants, and dentists.
- Careers in the Chair: Discover roles in general dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, and dental lab work.
- Preven
Smile Science:
Explore the art and science of dental care, from prevention and hygiene to restoration and oral health careers.
- Tooth Tech: Learn about the tools and skills used by dental hygienists, assistants, and dentists.
- Careers in the Chair: Discover roles in general dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, and dental lab work.
- Prevent & Protect: Understand how dental professionals help maintain healthy smiles through cleanings, education, and care.
MASS MEDIA & COMMUNICATION
Digital Media
Cinematic Narratives
Digital Media
Voices That Shape the World:
Learn how content creators use media to influence, entertain, and inspire across digital platforms.
- Creative Content Lab: Design engaging social media campaigns, web series, or podcasts that tell authentic stories.
- Brand Building Online: Learn how influencers and creators grow audiences and monetize content in
Voices That Shape the World:
Learn how content creators use media to influence, entertain, and inspire across digital platforms.
- Creative Content Lab: Design engaging social media campaigns, web series, or podcasts that tell authentic stories.
- Brand Building Online: Learn how influencers and creators grow audiences and monetize content in a digital marketplace.
- Cultural Impact: Understand how digital storytelling drives change, trends, and community engagement.
Broadcasting
Cinematic Narratives
Digital Media
From Studio to Screen:
Gain hands-on experience with tools and techniques used in news, radio, and live media.
- Broadcast Bootcamp: Discover the basics of audio and video production for radio, livestreaming, and on-air delivery.
- Anchor & Edit: Try your hand at reporting, scripting, and editing news segments and media clips.
- Live Media & E
From Studio to Screen:
Gain hands-on experience with tools and techniques used in news, radio, and live media.
- Broadcast Bootcamp: Discover the basics of audio and video production for radio, livestreaming, and on-air delivery.
- Anchor & Edit: Try your hand at reporting, scripting, and editing news segments and media clips.
- Live Media & Ethics: Explore real-time storytelling, journalistic responsibility, and the impact of instant media.
- Command the Narrative: Build the confidence and skills to communicate with impact. Learn how effective speaking, presence, and storytelling shape public perception, drive trends, and engage diverse audiences.
Cinematic Narratives
Cinematic Narratives
Cinematic Narratives
Behind the Lens: Film & Television:
Step into the world of scripted storytelling and visual production for the big and small screen.
- Script to Screen: Learn storyboarding, screenwriting, and pitching ideas for film and TV projects.
- Directing & Cinematography: Experiment with camera work, lighting, and directing short scenes.
- Careers in Fi
Behind the Lens: Film & Television:
Step into the world of scripted storytelling and visual production for the big and small screen.
- Script to Screen: Learn storyboarding, screenwriting, and pitching ideas for film and TV projects.
- Directing & Cinematography: Experiment with camera work, lighting, and directing short scenes.
- Careers in Film & TV: Discover the roles of producers, editors, and crew in the entertainment industry.
TECHNOLOGY
Coding
Software Design
Cybersecurity
Code in Action:
Learn the building blocks of programming through interactive, logic-based challenges.
- Code Lab: Explore basic coding concepts using beginner-friendly languages and platforms.
- Logic Building: Practice problem-solving through conditionals, loops, and functions.
- Project Ready: Apply your skills by creating simple programs or interactive projects.
Cybersecurity
Software Design
Cybersecurity
Digital Defense:
Discover how to protect data, secure systems, and stay safe in the digital world.
- Security Lab: Learn how passwords, encryption, and firewalls help safeguard information.
- Hacker’s Mindset: Understand how cyber threats work—and how to prevent them.
- Safe Online: Explore digital citizenship, privacy, and responsible tech use.
Software Design
Software Design
Software Design
Ideas to Interface:
Use creativity and problem-solving to plan and design apps, games, and websites people actually enjoy using.
- Design Studio: Learn how users interact with screens and why layout and flow matter.
- Plan Your App: Brainstorm, sketch, and map out ideas for your own app or website.
- Try the Tools: Use beginner-friendly software to build and test your digital designs.
Robotics
Game Development
Game Development
Robotics in Motion:
Dive into the world of robotics by learning how machines move, sense, and respond.
- Robot Lab: Assemble and program basic robots using sensors and motors.
- Automation Basics: Discover how robots are used in industries, from delivery to surgery.
- Code to Movement: See how your coding translates into physical actions and problem-solving.
Game Development
Game Development
Game Development
Game On:
Turn your ideas into interactive games while learning logic, design, and storytelling.
- Game Lab: Use beginner-friendly software to design characters, levels, and challenges.
- Play & Test: Learn about feedback loops and how to test and refine game mechanics.
- Design with Purpose: Explore how games combine storytelling, art, and code into immersive worlds.
Final Day: Program Celebration
A Celebration of Your Experience
On the final day of Project Breaking Barriers, we'll revisit the industries you explored. What opened your eyes? What stuck with you? You'll get to casually share your favorite moments and imagine how they might shape your future. Instead of a formal presentation, this day is about sharing your journey in your own way.
🎓 Connect the Dots to Higher Education
Whether you're new to FAFSA or exploring future college possibilities, this is an opportunity to reflect, build confidence in navigating higher education pathways, and ask academic professionals any lingering questions you may have.
🎓Demystify College Admissions Process
There’s no better time than now to begin thinking about how to tell your story. You’ll get real-world perspective into what college admissions officers actually look for when reading personal statement prompts and reviewing applications.
You’ll explore:
- How to approach the questions colleges ask
- What types of experiences and activities can help shape your narrative
- How to reflect your values and goals in a way that feels natural and authentic
- What stands out, and what doesn’t, from an admissions team’s perspective
This session is designed to help you feel confident, prepared, and clear about how to begin, not overwhelmed. Whether college is just an idea or already on the horizon, now is the perfect moment to start shaping your voice.
🏫 Real Talk About College Life
You’ll hear honest considerations from current college students and staff about what life is really like on campus, academics, social life, support systems, and everything in between. This is a chance to ask your own questions, explore what college might feel like for you, and start picturing yourself in that space.
🎉Stay tuned, we’re working on a fun way to make the last day extra special.
The final day is a quiet turning point, a chance to feel what the week has sparked. It offers time to recognize what’s shifted, what’s been discovered, and what might come next, while celebrating that journey together.
Spread the Word
Help us raise awareness of our mission and programs by sharing our website, social media pages, and events with your friends, family, and colleagues.
Disclaimer: Career program categories and content are subject to change each season based on the availability and expertise of participating subject matter experts.