Power Hour — Participant Journey (Skill-Spine Edition)

Year 1Curious Observer · Aware · E2 Exposure

Year 2Active Investigator · Practicing · E3 Exploration

Year 3Practitioner · Applying · E4 Experience

Year 4Launcher · Leading · E4 Peak

Year posture How she shows up Depth dial sets what every cluster looks like for her

Year 1 Curious Observer Aware: sees the skill exists, can name it, has done it once. Sampling broadly across all 4 sectors, all 6 clusters. Belonging first; high structure.

AwareAll sectors broadly

Year 2 Active Investigator Practicing: uses the skill with intention in low-stakes settings. Narrows to 1–2 sectors. Cluster activities lean into chosen sectors.

PracticingNarrowing 1–2 sectors

Year 3 Practitioner Applying: uses the skill in real (industry-reviewed) capstone work. Sector-concentrated. Summer paid internship (15 hrs/wk).

ApplyingCapstone + paid internship

Year 4 Launcher Leading: models the skill for others; uses it in real-world settings. Cross-sector. Job applications, college, scholarships, real-world placement.

LeadingReal-world launch

Who she is Profile & needs Developmental stage, what she needs most from Power Hour at this year

Year 1 Identity still forming Erikson: Identity vs. Role Confusion. Highly sensitive to peer judgment. Likely holds narrow ideas about which careers are "for someone like her." Needs: belonging before content; broad sampling so she doesn't foreclose; high adult structure; quick wins.

New to Girls Inc.High structure

Year 2 Choosing with conviction Sees the landscape; ready to test within it. Risks defaulting to expected pathways — Power Hour structures choice with intention. Needs: meaningful sector contact (interviews, deep-dives), values clarification, peer cohort that's stable enough to take risks in.

Sector-narrowingMentor matched

Year 3 Building real things Prefrontal cortex maturing. Capacity for sustained, applied work increasing. Identity is more stable; portfolio thinking becomes possible. Needs: real industry feedback (not just adult validation), meaningful project ownership, time with employer-grade work.

Industry-reviewed workPaid internship

Year 4 Choosing what's next College apps live, job search active. Power Hour shifts from teaching to launching. Needs: application support, recommendation network, financial clarity (FAFSA, Future Ready Scholarship, total comp), continuity (alumnae pipeline + portable network).

Application supportFuture Ready

Cluster 2 · December Communication From peer-level expression to influencing rooms

Year 1 Express clearly to peers 60-second self-intro. Active listening basics. Speaking up in a small group. Deliverable: Self-intro reel (filmed)

Year 2 Professional with adults Cold outreach + follow-up. Networking emails. LinkedIn first profile. Voicemail discipline. Deliverable: Networking email + LinkedIn + recorded voicemail

Year 3 Cross-functional presenting Pitch capstone to industry panel. Adapt register across audiences. Deliverable: 10-min capstone pitch (filmed + slide deck)

Year 4 Influence rooms Lead Q&A. Mentor a Y1 girl on communication. Showcase keynote. Deliverable: Showcase keynote / board-style presentation

Cluster 5 · March Negotiation Closing the ask gap. New as a standalone skill.

Year 1 Practice asking Asking for help, time, a turn. Wage gap statistical literacy. Deliverable: "First Asks" reflection + wage-gap quiz

Year 2 Negotiate small things Negotiate a deadline, role, scope in peer/mentor context. Deliverable: Negotiation script + outcome reflection

Year 3 Salary simulation Mock offer-letter negotiation with industry mentor. Benefits comparison. Deliverable: Mock negotiation transcript + analysis

Year 4 Live negotiation Real job offer, scholarship, internship terms. Deliverable: Real negotiation outcome + post-negotiation memo

Cluster 6 · April AI & Tech Fluency From critical user to career co-pilot

Year 1 AI as helper, with critique AI-assisted email drafting; "what did the AI get wrong?" Becomes a skeptical user. Deliverable: AI artifact with critique annotations

Year 2 AI for research + 1 tool AI for career research + cover letter editing. Learn one sector tool (Figma/Canva/Excel). Deliverable: AI-supported career research brief

Year 3 AI as critical editor AI in capstone with full process documentation. Prompt engineering. Data tool fluency. Deliverable: Capstone with AI-process documentation

Year 4 AI as career co-pilot ATS optimization. Company research. Interview prep. Used live in job search. Deliverable: Job application portfolio with AI co-pilot process

Work-based learning Capstone + internship Where the skill spine meets real industry

Year 1 Career exposure only Panels, site visits, speakers via T1 Collegiate + T2 Industry partners. No internship. General mentor (T3).

T1 + T2 panelsGeneral T3 mentor

Year 2 Micro-internships 10–20 hr projects with T2/T4 partners. Single deliverable. Often virtual. Mentor matched by interest area.

Micro-internshipsSector-matched T3

Year 3 Paid summer internship 15 hrs/wk (10 on-site + 5 with Girls Inc.). 5–6 weeks. Target: 10 placements summer 2027. Capstone industry-reviewed.

$1,125–1,500/internT4 employer

Year 4 Light touch + tracking Continued placement or job search support. Post-graduation outcome tracking. Long-term professional T3 relationship — part of portable network.

Application supportOutcome tracking

What she leaves with Portfolio + outcomes The compounding evidence base, year over year

Year 1 Foundation portfolio Skills-based resume · 2 informational interview write-ups · self-intro reel · Growth Narrative ("Who am I today?") · Network: peer + mentor + 1–2 contacts

6 skill-touchesFoundation

Year 2 Sector-narrowing portfolio Sector-targeted resume (2 versions) · cover letter draft · LinkedIn live (50+) · 5+ interviews · Personal statement draft · Network: 5+ contacts · Rec letter requested

12 skill-touchesSector clarity

Year 3 Industry-validated portfolio Industry-reviewed capstone · Resume (3+ versions) · Polished cover letter · Mock interviews (peer + mentor + employer) · 2–3 rec letters secured · Network: 10+ · CareerSource registered

18 skill-touchesPaid internship

Year 4 Job-ready portfolio Job-ready resume (tailored per role) · Live applications submitted · Complete reference portfolio · Network: 15+ portable · First-90-days financial plan · Future Ready Scholarship · Alumnae pipeline

24 skill-touchesLaunched