This foundation year brings focus from the general to the specific.

10th grade is considered a foundation year, after students move from their middle school years of a general education to the more specific studies of upper grades. There’s a greater emphasis on skill development, career exploration, critical thinking, communication, time management, and the study skills that are necessary both for high school and life beyond.

This grade also represents a chance for students to take proactive steps in academic and extracurricular activities, which are combined when a 10th grade students explores career shadowing, such as the core component in the Pay It Forward 365 program.

Pay It Forward 365 has been built to provide the benefits that only career shadowing makes possible.

Career Shadowing Tutor - Pay It Forward 365

Pay It Forward 365 provides participating students with a unique opportunity for several career shadowing sessions in one week. 10th graders get real-world exposure to a variety of jobs and industries with an emphasis on the practical trades. Career shadowing like this gives the student a true feel for what those jobs are like, to ask questions, and observe and learn how those in trade positions perform their roles. The students gain insight into a career without making the long-term commitment of actually working in a given position.

It matters, too, as The Future of Jobs Report by the World Economic Forum shows that employers expect 39% of key skills required in the job market to change by 2030.1 That makes career shadowing made possible by Pay It Forward 365 more important than ever. Plus — it works! A 2022 study by the National Career Development Association (NCDA) found that 82% of participants in job shadowing programs reported feeling more confident in their career choices.2

The 10th grade represents the perfect point for students to examine their skills and interests to determine what they’re good at and what kind of careers line up with those skills and interests. Career shadowing then helps make the difference in deciding between multiple career futures, because the more knowledge they have, the better choices they will make. 

Pay It Forward 365 will work with Cleveland area high schools and TradeWorks companies to give 10th graders the edge they need.

Trades represent the most solid, in-demand careers in the foreseeable future.

Career Shadowing Student Smiling - Pay It Forward 365

Real world workplace visits provide career shadowing opportunities in a variety of trades.

Pay It Forward 365 pays attention to key trends affecting high school students, particularly related to career pursuit. That’s why we chose the foundational 10th grade to give students an in-depth look at trade careers, which we call TradeWorks.

More and more, people are choosing “skills that last,” those based around a combination of hands-on expertise and human judgment. These jobs aren’t as likely to be automated (for better job security), provide stable and clear career paths, and offer attractive pay without the drag of heavy student debt.

A recent survey by Resume Builder found that “42% of Gen Zers are working in or pursuing a skilled-trade job, including 37% of those with a bachelor’s degree.” This is attributed to economic pressures, rising education costs, and worries about AI.

LinkedIn states that “blue-collar careers are becoming more appealing and valuable than ever before,” due to a shift in market demands and new opportunities. According to ModernHR, trade positions provide a sense of job satisfaction that comes from tangible results, along with the opportunity to start earning relatively quickly.

The rise in interest for trade careers has been dramatic.

Real world workplace visits promote career exploration for students, while demonstrating actual examples of turning knowledge into achievement.

A McKinsey report posited that the number of annual U.S. hires in the skilled trades could exceed the annual net by 20 times between 2022 and 2032.3 For the third consecutive year, the number of students enrolled in a vocational-focused community colleges increased by between 11 and 16%, accounting for 19.4% of all public two-year enrollment.4

TradeWorks will give students an opportunity to see blue-collar trades in their community, such as hospitality, construction, culinary arts and cosmetology, along with a visit to a military recruitment center. Students who have no desire to go to college will see firsthand that there are other valuable career opportunities in the community workplace that serve as a great alternative.

Sports Franchise

Culinary

Construction

Cultural

Pay It Forward 365 will bring 10th grade students right to the source, so they can get the feel for prospective career directions. A typical week looks like this:

Grade 10 - TradeWorks (Sample Schedule)
M 8:00am - 4:30pm Visit a sports franchise, such as the Cleveland Browns & Community Support visit TBA - Lecture
T 8:00am - 4:30pm Visit with chefs at the area’s hottest restaurants & Community Support visit TBA - Lecture
W 8:00am - 4:30pm Visit a notable construction project & Community Support visit TBA - Lecture
Th 8:00am - 4:30pm Visit a recruiter for one of the military branches & Community Support visit TBA - Lecture
F 8:00am - 4:30pm Visit a mechanics facility, such as NASA Glenn & Community Support visit TBA - Lecture

With this exposure to blue-collar industries and those who chose a future in a trade, students will get valuable career shadowing experience of several types in one immersive week.

Student Requirements

  1. Student must be actively enrolled in school and in there designated grade for the upcoming school year. GPA 2.0 minimum.
  2. Must have no disciplinary issues such as fighting, disrespectful behavior, foul talking language and no report misconduct from there particular school or juvenile services in the community.
  3. Proper hygiene is expected at all times, no exceptions.
  4. If a student is asked not to return to program for negative behavioral problems they will be expelled immediately with no refund of previously paid payment.
  5. Boys are expected to be gentlemen at all times to everyone and girls are expected to behave like ladies at all times to everyone-no exceptions.
Enroll Now

Pay It Forward 365 is forward-thinking.

Give your 10th grader the benefits of an intensive career shadowing program.

Enroll for the Pay It Forward 365 TradeWorks experience.

This is the third of a 4-year career development program, with each year focused on a different type of career option. 8th graders visit urban service organizations (UrbanWorks); 9th grade students are exposed to technology jobs (TechWorks); while 11th graders focus on white-collar professions (ProWorks). Completion provides high school students with a comprehensive view of the many career options they may not have even known existed as opportunities for them. 

Year 1: UrbanWorks

Year 2: TechWorks 

Year 3: TradeWorks

Year 4: ProWorks

The Pay It Forward 365 program takes place one week during their summer vacation, starting in 2027, in which groups of fifty greater Cleveland area students in grades 8–11 get a first-hand experience with a variety of careers through visits to various workplaces.

Pay It Forward to your 10th grade student — which will pay off 365 days of every year in their future — and register today.

Enroll Now