CAREER PATHWAY
Hello! My name is Cassie and I am your case manager - I'm always available to answer any questions you have, help connect you with resources that are helpful, and make sure you feel comfortable participating in our mentoring programs! You'll also hear from me on a regular basis when I reach out to check in and see how you're doing.
Youth can earn a Big Futures Career Pathway Certificate Stamp by participating in at least one of the following BBSVC mentoring programs for the full year (June 1 - May 30):
Mentor Academy (for High School Students)
Mentor Academy Plus (for continuing participants or 18-25 years)
BBSVC's Internship Program
Are you ready to explore new Career Pathway opportunities with Big Futures? Let's go!
Fun Fact: Our Career Pathway certificate stamp represents intersecting mechanical cogs. This helps us visualize how individual social gears, or differing sectors, create a collective movement when they work together! While all of these gears may differ in size, speed, and shape, they are all part of the same machine.
The rest of this page is currently under construction! Please feel free to explore, but know that the information provided is subject to change at any time.
Mentor Academy
Includes Virtual Enrichment Sessions on Wednesdays at 4:30pm (Zoom)
Mentees can match with a mentor who has relevant experience around their major or career of interest, or who knows how to get them on the path to success.
Our corporate partners at Bank of America, Trade Desk, and other Ventura County businesses mentor young people through weekly zoom topics as well as in work environments and community spaces that uplift their individual YODP! Mentees learn valuable career development and life skills through both digital and onsite engagement. Mentors and Mentees are also encouraged to meet up and stay in communication on their own schedule, regularly checking in on the Mentee's intensive YODP goals and tracking sheets together!
Mentor Academy and Mentor Academy Plus have the option to participate in the same weekly zoom enrichment sessions (Wednesdays at 4:30pm).
Zoom Syllabus
August
· Meet Your Match (and explore the YODP)
· Setting SMART Goals
· Inside the Mind of the Master Procrastinator - Tim Urban, Ted Talk
· Imposter Syndrome - Peter Shephard, Ted Talk
· Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
September
· Banking Basics: Checking vs. Savings - Bank of America's "Better Money Habits" (Paola Aguilera)
· Mobile Banking & Money Management Apps - Speaker Info Pending
· How to Pay for College - Speaker Info Pending
· Best-Fit Careers: Trade School Opportunities - Simi Institute for Careers & Education, Ann-Marie Espinoza (Marketing & Communications Coordinator)
October
· Building Your Brand - Bank of America, Sarah Holmgren (Sr Vice President & Human Resources Manager for Ventura & Santa Barbara Market)
· Presenting: Your Elevator Speech - Bank of America, Sarah Holmgren (Sr Vice President & Human Resources Manager for Ventura & Santa Barbara Market)
· 12 Pillars of Success - Sampson Brue, Jr.
· Youth Choice: Career Speaker
November
· Resume Building for First-Time Job Seekers - Speaker Info Pending
· An Introduction to Mock Interviews - Bank of America's "Better Money Habits," Art Brito
· Applying for Internships & Service Learning - CSUCI and Cal Lutheran Universities
December meetup
· Dress for Success: Workplace Standards - Speaker Info Pending
· The Economics of "Gig Work" and Side Hustles - Speaker Info Pending
· Youth Choice: Career Speaker
January meetup
· Saving for Big-Ticket Items (Car/Computer) - Speaker Info Pending
· The Cost of Living on Your Own (Rent & Utilities) - Speaker Info Pending
· Comparison Shopping & Consumer Savvy - Speaker Info Pending
· Our Digital Ecosystem: Social Media & Digital Safety - BBSVC Staff
February meetup
· Best-Fit Careers: Trade School Opportunities in Oxnard - Center for Employment Training, Oscar Cahuantzi
· How Credit Scores are Calculated - Bank of America's "Better Money Habits," Paola Aguilera
· Understanding Interest Rates (APR) - Speaker Info Pending
· Credit Card Pros, Cons, and Fine Print - Speaker Info Pending
· Youth Choice: Career Speaker
March meetup
· Best-Fit Careers: A Military Personal Journey - Joyce Ashley
· Entrepreneurial Financial Literacy - Speaker Info Pending
· Introduction to Investing and the Stock Market - Speaker Info Pending
· Intro to Retirement Accounts (401k/IRA) - Speaker Info Pending
April meetup
· Navigating Financial Setbacks & Resilience - Speaker Info Pending
· BBSVC's BIG FUTURES Expo - April 22, 2027
· Public Speaking & Presentation Skills - Toastmasters
· Conflict Resolution in Professional Settings - BBSVC Staff
May meetup
· Personal Branding & Values Alignment - Speaker Info Pending
· Building a LinkedIn Profile - Speaker Info Pending
· The Live-Learn-Work-Play-Rest Balance: Self-Care & Mental Wellness for Leaders - BBSVC Staff
· Mindfulness - Bank of America's "Better Money Habits," Thurayya Hernandez (Sr Business Controls Specialist, Global Operations)
June meetup
· Civic Engagement & Local Advocacy - Speaker Info Pending
· Philanthropy: Giving Back on a Budget - Speaker Info Pending
· Navigating Campus Resources (College Prep) - Speaker Info Pending
· Youth Choice: Career Speaker
Big Internship Program
BBSVC is proud to host one of the county's best and sought-after, nonprofit internship programs...now reimagined for Big Futures!
Through our partnerships with local employers, youth gain real-world experience through administrative and program internship placements at the agency that prepare the next generation of skilled professionals.
BBSVC Alumni Network
1 JUNE, 2026 - 30 MAY, 2027
1 June 2026 - Applications for Big Futures Enrollment Open:
High School Mentor Program (available in Fillmore, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Ventura)
Youth Leadership Council (available in Fillmore, Camarillo, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Ventura)
Mentor Academy (available countywide)
Big University (CLU, Oxnard College)
Big Futures Fellowship (CLU, Oxnard College)
Saturday, June 27, 2026 - BBSVC's annual Big Summer Day
Saturday, 7 November 2026 - Big Dreams Gala
(Recognizing the Kobe Lizarraga Award Winner of May 2026)
Saturday, December 5, 2026 - BBSVC's annual Big Holiday Party
February 28, 2027 - Deadline for Kobe Lizarraga Award Nominations
Saturday, May 8, 2027 - Big Futures Expo
Standing Together for
a Big Future
Contact Us
Big Brothers Big Sisters
of Ventura County
2435 Ventura Blvd, Ste. A, Camarillo, CA 93010
2435 Ventura Blvd, Ste. A, Camarillo,
CA 93010
Federal Tax ID 20-3425568
© Copyright 2023. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County. All rights reserved. Website managed by IMPRESSTech