Career Path Awards Program

Career Path Awards Program

Mission: Recognize and provide career mentoring to graduating seniors within the Columbus City School district who have demonstrated excellence in preparing for skilled careers.

Program Overview

The Career Path Awards Program grants $2,500 to outstanding students who have demonstrated excellence in preparing for skilled careers through the Columbus City Schools (CCS) Career Technology Programs. The program addresses the great demand in central Ohio for employees to fill skilled jobs requiring additional specialized training.

Geographic Scope

Location: Columbus, Ohio (Central Ohio region) Schools Served: Ft. Hayes Career Center and Columbus Downtown High School

Eligibility

• Applicant Type: Graduating seniors from CCS
• Schools: Must attend Ft. Hayes Career Center or Columbus Downtown High School
• Career Focus: Must be pursuing jobs or advanced training in skilled careers
• Academic Requirements: Minimum 3.0 GPA in career/technical education coursework
• Attendance: Must have a good school attendance record
• Grade Level: High school graduates

Award Details

• Amount: $2,500 per selected individual (2025 award amount)
• Number of Awards: Varies annually based on corporate sponsors; goal is at least 20 awards
• Use of Funds: Award money can be used for any expenses associated with pursuing a skilled trade job including:
- Training course enrollment - Fees - Tools - Specialized work clothing - Transportation expenses - Certification expenses

Program Requirements

• Career Path Awardees must participate in two mentoring sessions to receive the $2,500 award
• Mentoring sessions are approximately 60 minutes each
• First session occurs at the student's career center
• Second session may be in-person or via Zoom
• Mentoring sessions scheduled between late February to late April

Mentoring Component

• Each award recipient is matched with a mentor from a sponsoring company and a Columbus Rotarian
• Mentors are knowledgeable about the student's chosen career path
• Mentoring supports navigation from high school to advanced training and the work world
• Mentors may provide pathways to direct employment or assist with other options aligned with student goals

Background

• Launched in 2021-22 by Columbus Rotary Club (112-year-old organization with strong history of CCS involvement)
• In 2021-22: 28 awards granted to seniors from Ft. Hayes and Columbus Downtown High School
• In 2025: 29 students receiving awards

Corporate Sponsors (2025)

Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA), EasyIT, Elford Construction, McDonald Charitable Trust, Columbia Gas (NiSource), Adelphi Bank, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Specialty Printing and Processing, Schoning Dental, Orange Barrel Media, Sterling Process Engineering, Ricart Automotive, Rosati Windows, Worthington Industries, Mount Carmel College of Nursing, and Columbus Rotary Foundation

Contact Information

Email: steve.sundre@gmail.com (Steve Sundre, Columbus Rotarian)

Organization Contact:
Rotary Club of Columbus
4000 Leap Road
PO Box 494
Hilliard, OH 43026
Office: office@columbusrotary.org
Phone: 812-204-8231