Education For Life
Alaska EXCEL Prepares Youth for Education and Career
Storyknife, January/February 2024 edition
Joseph Ekamrak, a Calista Shareholder and 10th grader from Akiachak, participated in a post-secondary prep 10-day session at Alaska EXCEL. Alaska EXCEL offers academic and career-focused intensives for rural youth across Alaska.
“I learned how to create a resume and cover letter,” says Ekamrak. “It feels good to learn these skills and I will feel more confident when I look for a job in the future.”
Alaska EXCEL programs are open to students from partnering school districts in middle and high school, along with a mentorship program for high school graduates. Session intensives range from four to 30 days depending on the type of training and grade level. Ekamrak says he wants to pursue a career as a heavy diesel mechanic.
“I like to take apart engines then put them back together, fix them,” Ekamrak says. “At summer EXCEL we took apart and put back large diesel engines.”
The intensives allow students to learn how to become more independent. During sessions students take care of themselves from wake up to winding down at night. Each student is responsible for their learning journey at each intensive and the group typically reflects on what they’ve learned each day.
Ekamrak says the session was also beneficial for the little things he learned.
“At one part of the session we only had $50 to spend on a suit and tie. I was able to find the clothes, but I also learned how to tie a tie,” Ekamrak says. “It was confusing at first, but once I got the hang of it, it felt great. After that, I was able to show a few people how to tie a tie.”
Ekamrak says he wants to continue his education at AVTEC in Seward.
Alaska EXCEL offers career exploration in many fields of work thanks to its many industry partners. Calista was one of the early partners to sponsor the Alaska EXCEL program for its potential to grow and the opportunities available to youth in the Calista Region.
Nicole Williams, a Calista Shareholder and 11th grader from Akiachak, started on the Aviation track for career exploration at Alaska EXCEL but wants to learn about other options.
“The instructors make it interesting and explained a lot about planes, but I think I want to see what else there is,” Williams says. “I want to learn about many fields like photography, dentistry and nursing. I don’t know yet what I want to be, but I’m leaning toward nursing.”
Although students may have some or no idea what they want to do or where they want to study after high school, Alaska EXCEL is a comfortable place for students to explore their options.
“Alaska EXCEL is a place to meet new friends, learn new skills and see what you want to do when you get older,” Williams says. “You can be yourself at EXCEL.”
Alaska EXCEL continues to grow. In 2022-23, Alaska EXCEL served 677 students from 12 different school districts across Alaska—earning a total of 733 high school credits—and helped connect 37 students to internship experiences.