Finding the next step: MATC Gap Year program steers students toward careers

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- More than a dozen individuals are looking forward to a bright future, after completing Milwaukee Area Technical College's Gap Year program Thursday.

The program is for those freshly out of high school in Milwaukee County that aren't sure what path to take next.

It introduces students to a wide variety of career paths, helping them find a profession that fits their passion.

"I feel like starting here is the foot into the door of the life that I want to live," said Jaylen Perry-Daniels, one of MATC's newest Gap Year graduates.

"It made me understand that you're not stuck in a position, and that there is a broad variety of jobs and opportunities out there to be able to take," Perry-Daniels said.

Like many of the Gap Year participants, Perry-Daniels wasn't sure what to do after high school.

Now, he's planning to study digital marketing, thanks to a program course that caught his attention.

"What it would be like being in marketing, what you would do in marketing, how it would love every day in marketing. I really, really enjoyed that," Perry-Daniels said.

It's one of many pathways explored in the 10-week program, which was created in January 2022.

"We wanted to give them an opportunity to help take time off and figure out what's next," said Molly Mattefs with NEWaukee, the organization behind MATC's program.

Participants earn a stipend throughout the semester.

They're able to network, and see how courses translate into the real world, with trips to local workplaces.

"It's just so wonderful to be able to introduce this new generation to the different opportunities that Milwaukee has available to us," Mattefs said.

The program is reassurance that it's okay not to know your path right away.

"It's time to explore who you are and what you want out of life," Mattefs said.

"Put yourself out there. That's what they've taught us. Put yourself out there and everything will follow along with it," Perry-Daniels said.

MATC's Gap Year program just received funding for another year.

Applications are open now for the fall.

Click here for more details.

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