Career Prep

DiscoverU’s Career Prep programs allow high school students and emerging adults to explore different career pathways and develop their skills to meet their future goals.

These interactive programs include career exploration, workplace etiquette, networking and mentorship, soft skills, and more. Events are updated quarterly.

April

Certification Station: Exploring Career Certifications
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Logan Heights Library | Ages 14+ | Register Here

Explore stackable credentials and industry-recognized certificates that boost your hireability. This interactive workshop explores options and matches interests and aspirations, highlighting self-discovery, opportunity awareness, and planning next steps with confidence.

Mini Makers Market: Exploring Careers in Startup
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Mission Valley Library | Ages 8-14 | Register Here

Create a mini business or product to "sell" at a fun pretend career fair. This workshop blends creativity, real-world connections, discovery, and joyful career exposure to allow learners to explore future possibilities in a playful and engaging way.

Show Me the Money
Friday, April 17, 2026 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
North Clairemont Library | Ages 8-14 | Register Here

Did you ever think you could be this rich? Learn how to pay for your future! This session unpacks education, trades, apprenticeships, internships, volunteering, and all ways get you to the top and make the money you always dreamed of!

Work While You Learn: Exploring Apprenticeships
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Skyline Hills Library | Ages 14-25 | Register Here

Find out how apprenticeships and co-ops let you earn money while gaining skills and credentials. This interactive workshop explores options and matches interests and aspirations, highlighting self-discovery, opportunity awareness, and planning next steps with confidence.

Trade Talk: The Power of Skilled Trades
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Central Library - Teen Center | Ages 14-18 | Register Here

Discover the power of skilled trades and apprenticeships. No degree? No problem -- your career could start here. This interactive workshop explores options and matches interests and aspirations, highlighting self-discovery, opportunity awareness, and planning next steps with confidence.

May

Game Makers & Designers
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Central Library - Teen Center | Ages 14-18 | Register Here

Love to play games? Explore the many careers that design video games and try your hand at designing your own! This workshop blends creativity, real-world connections, discovery, and joyful career exposure to allow learners to explore future possibilities in a playful and engaging way.

Robot Ready: Careers for Techies
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Carmel Mountain Ranch Library | Ages 8-12 | Register Here

Code and play with robots while exploring the technologies that shape our world. Gain insight into how engineers, programmers, and inventors design the innovations of tomorrow. This workshop combines creativity, real-world applications, hands-on discovery, and engaging career exploration to help learners identify meaningful future possibilities.

Pitch Yourself: Self-Advocacy & Branding
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Skyline Hills Library | Ages 14-25 | Register Here

Learn to build your brand and stand out on LinkedIn, social media, and beyond. This interactive workshop explores options and matches interests and aspirations, highlighting self-discovery, opportunity awareness, and planning next steps with confidence.

June

Art of Careers: Careers for Artists
Friday, June 12, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Mission Valley Library | Ages 8-14 | Register Here

Mix colors and careers by exploring artists, designers, and illustrators who make the world more beautiful. This workshop blends creativity, real-world connections, discovery, and joyful career exposure to allow learners explore future possibilities in a playful and engaging way.

Launchpad: Entrepreneurship Boot Camp
Monday, June 22 to Friday, June 26, 2026 | 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Central Library - Teen Center | Ages 13-18 | Register Here

Curious about starting your own business but not sure where to start? Through knowledgeable instructors, teamwork, exercises, and discussions with founders of startups, participants will learn how to come up with viable business ideas, understand marketing and identifying the target customer, and develop an entrepreneurial strategy. At the end of the program, participants will make a team sales pitch to expert judges from San Diego's own startup community.