COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s 4-H Center for Youth Development welcomed 50 middle- and high-school-aged 4-H’ers at its 22nd annual 4-H College and Career Pathways Conference on the MU campus this July.

Attendees were members of 4-H Youth Futures and Juntos clubs, staple programs of Missouri 4-H in its vision to prepare youths for successful transitions to adulthood. This year’s conference theme was “voice.” Participants learned communication and self-advocacy skills and connected with caring peer and adult mentors through authentic life skills workshops and networking events.

Conference activities featured the G.A.M.E. program led by Bryan Stephens, akaj “Coach BE,” founder of BEStwenty4 of Beaumont, Calif. Participants reported the program “help(ed) us reflect on our lives and appreciate them more.” Keynote speaker Edward Jones II from Kansas City’s Beyond the Field program encouraged youths to find their voices through leadership and a success-driven mindset. In a session on staying true, MU Extension Director of Integrated Marketing Communications Robert Jones taught youths about the power of long-term gains, growth mindsets and persistence.

Participants toured the MU campus and took a practice ACT test. They also enjoyed leisure time at the Rec Center and at the Gaines Oldham Black Culture Center. Additionally, they were able to practice marketing themselves during mock interviews with extension professionals and community partners. Interviewers included Sarah Traub, interim vice chancellor of extension and engagement; Alison Copeland, UM System deputy chief engagement officer; Gerardo Martinez, director of the Alianzas program at University of Missouri-Kansas City; Stephanie Femrite, assistant extension professor and assistant director of Missouri 4-H; Steven Krauss, associate professor and 4-H state specialist in youth and adult partnerships; Elisa Cardenas Oleas, research project analyst at MU’s Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems; and Jo Britt Rankin, extension professor in health sciences.

Other sessions throughout the week included a networking workshop by StreetGeekz Liberated from St. Louis, an elevator speech workshop by 4-H marketing and communications coordinator Sherry Grace, a personal finance course by Melanated Investments of Kansas City, and a choices vs. mistakes presentation by Edward Jones II from Beyond the Field.

The conference culminated in a formal banquet in the Bond Life Sciences Atrium. During the closing ceremony, participants were able to share their collaborative projects—creative college/career-related music videos. Eighty-five percent of youths reported that they were more confident about their future after the conference. One youth noted, “making good friends, … building a stronger network, and meeting new people is what I should do.”

Programs offered by Missouri 4-H would not be possible without support from our partners. Major support for Missouri 4-H Career Pathways programs is provided by the Missouri 4-H Foundation in partnership with the Anthem Foundation, BTC Bank, FCS Financial and National 4-H Council. Major support for conference participation was funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the Children, Youth and Families at Risk Sustainable Communities Project.