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Students plan their future roles in Alaska

August 4, 2025

You think you know what you want to do after high school. But you may not know how to get the education you need to get there.

The 51�������� and programs have teamed up once again to help high school students from across Alaska prepare for life after high school. Through a summer session called “,” students learned to build a personalized plan to match their career interest to their values.

Over the course of two weeks in the second half of June, participating students engaged with faculty and staff in a variety of programs and career paths offered at 51��������’s Troth Yeddha’ campus and the Career and Technical College, learned about their own personal strengths, navigated the university admissions process and learned from the UB alumni and current 51�������� students about their experience.

For many students, this was their first encounter at 51��������, life away from home and an in-depth opportunity to explore what post-secondary paths would best suit them. The session gave students an opportunity to define their personal values and goals, thinking beyond “what I want to do” and focusing more on the importance of their role in Alaska and their community.

“It was a great learning opportunity to adapt to dorm life and adjust to a new environment surrounded by new faces,” said Vivien Ongtowasruk-Pootoogooluk, a sophomore from Shishmaref.

Identifying their own personal strengths and potential career matches through a tool called the Alaska Career Information System, coupled with engagement with professionals in specific career paths, expanded attendees’ potential career options not before considered.  

Robin Oaks, a junior from Haines, joined the session with radiology technician as her career in mind but after Anshul Pandya’s introduction to CTC’s Health Science program and lesson on research, she had bigger aspirations.

“With more schooling, I could be a radiologist and make way more money!” she said.

Regardless of the students’ interest, applying and paying for college or any post-secondary education can be hurdles. The participants learned how to navigate the admissions process, discovered the support network that the university offers, and met with advisors in financial aid and admissions to discuss the timeline and process.

Time was also dedicated to exploring and working with ACEP’s CyberPod — a group of T3 alumni and 51�������� students working at ACEP. The participants enjoyed hands-on projects and talking with and learning from the CyberPod members about their educational journeys, career aspirations and work within the university system. The CyberPod members provided an invaluable link between high school and college, making their goals more tangible.

“It was great to learn alongside the students when visiting the different career paths and institutions that contribute to our community,” said Adrian Burke, a CyberPod member.

“We got to support students in growing and adapting to professional and university environments, and it was rewarding to see the moments of ‘Aha!’ and inspiration. I would have loved to participate in this summer program when I was a UB student,” he said.