Once students arrive on their college campus, the context and setting of DTS support shifts, but the program continues to encompass all 5 Touchpoints to ensure students’ continued success. Programming includes weekly check-ins, identifying a local support system, and continuing in-person meetings with DTS staff and group outings with peers during semester breaks.
College students reinforce the college-going culture with younger DTS students by speaking during the DTS Bridge to High School program, the DTS Bridge to College Program, and by serving as mentors to the high school DTS classes.
Understanding that our students may need help with necessities for college, DTS ensures students have textbooks, a laptop computer, dorm room supplies, and proper winter clothing for those in colder climates. DTS provides critical support for securing financial aid, but also helps secure scholarship support when financial aid is insufficient.
All DTS college students are required to retain meaningful summer jobs or internships to prime their career readiness pumps. DTS provides our college students with resume and cover letter assistance and helps guide them through the application and interview process.
Just as our students’ interests run the gamut, so do their summer experiences. Examples of DTS college student summer activities include Getty Multicultural Internships, summer associate positions at nonprofit organizations through the Americorps VISTA program, Appell Fellowship projects, and employment at accounting firms, apartment management companies and retail establishments.