Program to Inspire Leadership, Opportunity, and Thought (PILOT)

What is PILOT?

PILOT (Program to Inspire Leadership, Opportunity, and Thought) is a youth leadership program for high school juniors in Chittenden County, Vermont. The vision behind PILOT is to motivate and empower young people to make a positive difference within their communities through leadership, creativity, and action. This program targets “latent leaders”, bringing together juniors from four Chittenden County high schools (Burlington, South Burlington, Champlain Valley Union, and Essex High Schools), for an interactive year long community and career exploration program.
 

How does it work?

PILOT participants meet for a full day seminar each month to discuss important issues affecting the community and explore different career pathways. During each seminar day, PILOT students visit different businesses and non-profit sites, meet with professionals who work there, and engage in presentations and follow-up discussions related to the seminar topic. Seminar topics include: Health Care, Human Services, Criminal Justice, Government and Politics, Business, Media and Communications, and Community Service.

The PILOT program is comprised of 4 main components:

1. Leadership and Self-Awareness: Students engage in discussions with community and business leaders at each seminar. They also have opportunities to develop their own leadership skills through individual and group activities.
2. Community Engagement: Students meet for a full day seminar each month at various community locations to discuss important topics and issues affecting the community.
3. Career Exploration: Students explore different careers at each seminar. They are also individually matched with area businesses and organizations to explore career paths of interest through research, job shadowing, and internships during the second half of the program year.
4. Community Service: PILOT students partner with local non-profit organizations to complete community service projects or design their own projects that address a specific community need

Why is it important?

PILOT is an innovative program that focuses on developing leadership skills, addressing relevant community issues, and exploring future career options. Outside of PILOT, there are few leadership programs that specifically target students who are emerging or non-traditional leaders, who may otherwise not have the opportunity to cultivate their leadership skills. This program encourages these students to utilize their skills, gain a better understanding of their community, expand their thinking, and prepare for a successful future.

How do I get involved?

Businesses: You could host a student for a job shadow or internship, participate in PILOT seminars by presenting on your business’s role in the community on your profession, or you could sponsor a student to be in PILOT.

Schools: You can identify and nominate students who could benefit from participating in PILOT

Students: You can contact Linking Learning to Life of your high school Guidance Counselor and let them know you are interested in participating in PILOT

Community Organizations: You could participate in PILOT seminars, host a student for a job shadow of internship, or sponsor a student to be in PILOT.

For more information, contact:
Dhyana Bradley, (802) 540-0953 or dbradley@bsdvt.org