Pathways2Careers Program
Program Overview
Hosted by the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce, the Pathways2Careers program connects local high school and high-school-level homeschool students with businesses in Greater Williamsburg. The program is open to 9th-12th grade students. Each business tour takes place in the evening, and dinner is provided. Attire is business casual, which includes polos, button-down shirts, blouses, sweaters, dresses, skirts, pants, and close-toed shoes. To end the program, students will have the opportunity to apply for internships and externships with our Business Partners. Students in grades 11 and 12 will also have the opportunity to interview to receive one of a limited number of college or trade school scholarships. There is no cost to participate in the program. The 2024-2025 program applications are open below.
Internships & Scholarships
Learn interview tips from program advisors, and put your skills to the test! To end the program, students will have the opportunity to apply internships and externships with our Business Partners.
Students in grades 11 and 12 will also have the opportunity to interview to receive one of two college or trade school scholarships.
Scholarship Sponsors
The Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce Education Committee would like to express our sincere gratitude to Chesapeake Bank and Baylands Family Credit Union for sponsoring scholarships of the Pathways2Careers Program.
Chesapeake Bank - Gold Scholarship Sponsor
Chesapeake Bank, founded in 1900, is a subsidiary of Chesapeake Financials Shares (CFS: CPKF), headquartered in the Northern Neck, also serving the Middle Peninsula, Williamsburg, Richmond, Chesterfield, and Peninsula communities. Chesapeake Bank generously donated $900 to the scholarship fund that will directly impact the lives of local high school and homeschool students as they explore potential career paths.
As a Gold Scholarship Sponsor, Chesapeake Bank plays a vital role in our community's workforce development and placemaking efforts. Their support helps to ensure that students have the opportunity to discover their passions and build the skills necessary to succeed in local industries. By providing internship education, business visits, and scholarships, we are empowering young people to find fulfilling careers right here in the Greater Williamsburg area.
The company also offers credit processing and ABL financing. Named by American Banker as one of the Top 100 Community Banks and a Best Bank to Work For, employing 300+. Visit: www.ches.bank
Baylands Family Credit Union - Silver Scholarship Sponsor
“As a Credit Union, we operate with the philosophy of "People Helping People" and are committed to investing and strengthening our local communities. We hope the recipient of the Baylands Pathways to Dreams Scholarship will use the funds to enhance their knowledge and skills to pursue the career of their dreams, “ said Frederick Hayes, Marketing & Business Development Supervisor for Baylands Family Credit Union.
The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize a student or students that is involved in the Pathways2Careers program and who have demonstrated scholastic excellence, service to their community, and who are interested in advancing their education at an accredited community college or university or trade & technical training institution by awarding a one-time annual scholarship in the amount of $500 to go toward college expenses or career needed equipment.
To qualify for the Baylands Scholarship, students must:
Be a high school senior
Attend more than half of scheduled local business visits
Have an overall average of 3.0
Submit application with completed essay question
The essay question for the applying students is, “Baylands believes teaching financial education is vital to our community. What area or areas do you think young adults need to know about managing personal finances, and what would help you learn more?”
Apply for the 2024-2025 Program
Applications for the 2024-2025 program are open below. If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Moore, Vice President of Communications & Programming for the Greater Williamsburg Chamber.
After submitting the online application, you will be prompted to download the permission slip. Please print and sign this slip, and return to the Chamber office or to Lauren Moore via email as soon as possible.