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Guest Speakers By Industry

Do You Have A Story To Share With Our Youth? Become A Guest Speaker And Make A Difference

How Did Positive Outlook Begin?

Positive Outlook was created in 2012 and first implemented through the Central San Diego Black Chamber by Terry Johnson and Michael Allen. The program was designed to introduce teenage kids to the multitude of career paths outside of the standard careers that are widely known. The program was based on the theory that people do the best they can do with the information that they have until they know better. By introducing guest speakers in these newly introduced career paths and having them tell their real stories about how they got to where they are, these young students were exposed to real life stories of how people with backgrounds just like theirs, made remarkable transformations into successful careers that they didn’t even know existed.

What is Positive Outlook Today?

Today, Positive Outlook has transitioned into a new version of the original program using the same format, but addressing a different demographic. The new version of the program was created to mentor young adults in their career journey. Reinforcing the original theory that people do the best they can do with the information that they have until they know better. By introducing guest speakers in various career paths and having them tell their real stories about how they got to where they are, these young adults are exposed to real life stories of how people with backgrounds and career paths just like theirs made remarkable transformations into new career heights and successful transitions into new careers that they didn’t even know existed. These insights are meant to give already accomplished young adults the tools, confidence, encouragement and inspiration to find more success in their career path or a new career path all together.

How Does the Program Work?

The program is run once a year and last for 6 months. Individuals apply to be a part of the annual class and from the applications submitted, 10 individuals are chosen to be a part of this dynamic experience that fosters mentorship and shares insights from successful individuals in various career paths. Once a month, the group will meet and exchange insights with each other about their career paths, challenges and successes. The main focus of each session is the introduction of a guest speaker and hearing their real story. Guest speakers, male and female, share the “Secrets of their Success” through a series of workshops and various interactions with the group. Each month a guest speaker will sit down in an intimate setting with the group telling their story, the good, the bad and the ugly. This is where the true magic happens because when the true story is told, people connect their journey and draw similarities to their own experiences. They feel comforted that they are not alone. They feel that they too can achieve the same success. They feel inspired to push through adversity and most importantly, they have a clear set of tools given to them by someone that used those same tools to get to the same place that they want to be.

What are the program participants responsibilities?

The participants are responsible for attending each monthly meeting and applying what they have learned to their everyday life, career and pursuit of happiness. At the end of the 6 -month program, the participants will present what they have learned and how they have implemented it in their career, personal life and contributing back to the community culminating in a 5–10-minute presentation and written paper. The other candidates along with the program staff will score each presentation and choose the highest scoring presenter as the winner. One of the pillars that Positive Outlook stands on is teaching financial literacy and as the winner of the presentation portion of the program, Positive Outlook will gift $2,000 to an investment account with Michael Allen Financial in their name at the annual Allen Financial Client Appreciation Dinner. Each participant who completes the 6-month program will receive a certificate of completion from our organization to acknowledge the principles that were taught and that will be passed on to others through their efforts moving forward.

Did the Positive Outlook Program make a difference?

The program is designed to teach each person about the journey that life takes us on in our career as well as the personal journey to find our inner happiness. Gathering like-minded young people together with older more experienced ones to help navigate through uncharted territory by tell their story, is the magic of creating a Positive Outlook. It is our mission that we touch as many people with this program and only ask that they in turn pass the information on to people that they know and come into contact with. The message of creating a Positive Outlook is making a difference and is being spread throughout our community one person at a time.
Career choices begin with narrowing down your interest into an industry. Are you in the industry that fuels your passion and aligns with your talents?

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

The Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources Career Cluster focuses on producing, processing, marketing, distributing, financing, and developing agricultural resources. This cluster includes food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, plants, and animals.

Architecture & Construction

The Architecture & Construction Career Cluster is focused on careers in designing, planning, managing, building and maintaining the built environment.

Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications

The Arts, Audio/Video Technology, & Communications Careers involve designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing media content. This cluster also and performing arts, graphic design, journalism, and entertainment.

Business Management & Administration

The Business Management & Administration Career Cluster includes planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating business functions. The core goal of these jobs is to ensure efficient and productive business operations.

Education & Training

The Education & Training Career Cluster includes teaching, educational training services, and related learning support occupations.

Finance

The Finance Cluster includes jobs that plan and manage finances and investments. Additionally, finance occupations provide services like banking, insurance, accounting, and financial management.

Government & Public Administration

The Government & Public Administration Career Cluster involves planning and performing government functions at the local, state, and federal levels. This cluster includes governance, national security, foreign service, revenue, taxation, and regulations.

Health Science

The Health Science Career Cluster involves planning, managing, and providing therapeutic, diagnostic, and health support services. This cluster also includes medical and biotech research.

Hospitality & Tourism

The Hospitality & Tourism Career Cluster covers the management, marketing, and operations of restaurants, hotels, attractions, recreation events, and travel services.

Human Services

The Human Services Career Cluster relates to human needs like counseling, mental health, personal care, family, community, and consumer services.

Information Technology

The Information Technology Career Cluster includes careers related to the design, development, support, and management of computer systems. This cluster involves building, maintaining, and repairing hardware, software, and information technology systems.

Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

The Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security Cluster includes legal, public safety, protective services, and security fields. This cluster also includes related professional and technical support services.

Manufacturing

The Manufacturing Cluster involves planning, managing, and processing materials. This cluster also includes related professional and technical support activities like production planning and control, maintenance, and process engineering.

Marketing

The Marketing Cluster involves planning, managing, and performing marketing and sales activities to reach an organization’s objectives.

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

The Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Cluster involves planning, managing, and executing research, analysis, and technical services. This cluster includes laboratory testing, and research and development in the physical sciences, engineering, and math.

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Careers involve the planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods. This can be by road, pipeline, air, rail, or water. This cluster also includes related support services like transportation infrastructure planning, logistics services, and equipment and facility maintenance.

Upcoming Program Dates & Special Events

March 28th 2024

September 2024

Date TBD

POSITIVE OUTLOOK

Positive Outlook was created in 2012 and first implemented through the Central San Diego Black Chamber by Terry Johnson and Michael Allen. The program was designed to introduce teenage kids to the multitude of career paths outside of the standard careers that are widely known. The program was based on the theory that people do the best they can do with the information that they have until they know better. By introducing guest speakers in these newly introduced career paths and having them tell their real stories about how they got to where they are, these young students were exposed to real life stories of how people with backgrounds just like theirs, made remarkable transformations into successful careers that they didn’t even know existed.

Today, Positive Outlook has transitioned into a new version of the original program using the same format, but addressing a different demographic. The new version of the program was created to mentor young adults in their career journey. Reinforcing the original theory that people do the best they can do with the information that they have until they know better. By introducing guest speakers in various career paths and having them tell their real stories about how they got to where they are, these young adults are exposed to real life stories of how people with backgrounds and career paths just like theirs made remarkable transformations into new career heights and successful transitions into new careers that they didn’t even know existed. These insights are meant to give already accomplished young adults the tools, confidence, encouragement and inspiration to find more success in their career path or a new career path all together.

The program is run once a year and last for 6 months. Individuals apply to be a part of the annual class and from the applications submitted, 10 individuals are chosen to be a part of this dynamic experience that fosters mentorship and shares insights from successful individuals in various career paths. Once a month, the group will meet and exchange insights with each other about their career paths, challenges and successes. The main focus of each session is the introduction of a guest speaker and hearing their real story. Guest speakers, male and female, share the “Secrets of their Success” through a series of workshops and various interactions with the group. Each month a guest speaker will sit down in an intimate setting with the group telling their story, the good, the bad and the ugly. This is where the true magic happens because when the true story is told, people connect their journey and draw similarities to their own experiences. They feel comforted that they are not alone. They feel that they too can achieve the same success. They feel inspired to push through adversity and most importantly, they have a clear set of tools given to them by someone that used those same tools to get to the same place that they want to be.

The participants are responsible for attending each monthly meeting and applying what they have learned to their everyday life, career and pursuit of happiness. At the end of the 6 -month program, the participants will present what they have learned and how they have implemented it in their career, personal life and contributing back to the community culminating in a 5–10-minute presentation and written paper. The other candidates along with the program staff will score each presentation and choose the highest scoring presenter as the winner. One of the pillars that Positive Outlook stands on is teaching financial literacy and as the winner of the presentation portion of the program, Positive Outlook will gift $2,000 to an investment account with Michael Allen Financial in their name at the annual Allen Financial Client Appreciation Dinner. Each participant who completes the 6-month program will receive a certificate of completion from our organization to acknowledge the principles that were taught and that will be passed on to others through their efforts moving forward.  

The program is designed to teach each person about the journey that life takes us on in our career as well as the personal journey to find our inner happiness. Gathering like-minded young people together with older more experienced ones to help navigate through uncharted territory by tell their story, is the magic of creating a Positive Outlook. It is our mission that we touch as many people with this program and only ask that they in turn pass the information on to people that they know and come into contact with. The message of creating a Positive Outlook is making a difference and is being spread throughout our community one person at a time.