The Be Your Best College Prep Academy hosts the third annual Career Café, 12-1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17 at Riverland’s Austin Campus cafeteria in the West Building. This event provides an opportunity for students enrolled in Be Your Best and SPARK summer academies to learn more about a variety of career opportunities and allows community members to mentor and inspire students about jobs that interest them. Students will join small groups for “round-table” conversations with a variety of career professionals. Discussions center on major/educational training and the careers available in specific fields.

The Be Your Best College Prep Academy is a free program for teens and young adults between the ages of 16 and 22. During Be Your Best, students have the opportunity to prepare for college by taking pre-college math, reading, writing and career planning. Students receive guidance and support through dedicated instructors, advisors, counselors and tutors. Students also benefit from the educational seminars designed for college success and participate in leadership, volunteer activities and field trips throughout the summer. The Be Your Best College Prep Academy is made possible through the continued generous support from The Hormel Foundation, Alliance for Educational Equity (Austin and Albert Lea public schools), The Minnesota Office of Higher Education and The Riverland Community College Foundation.

SPARK Summer College Prep Academy is a tuition free program provided by Austin Adult Learning for students who have recently graduated from high school or completed their GED. In SPARK, students will participate in a learning community in which students and teachers work collaboratively toward reaching the students’ goals.