Discover Your Future

About

The Discover Your Future program provides high-school juniors and seniors enrolled in 4-H, learning and career exploration opportunties through 4-H project participation and access to introductory college courses at Kansas State University.

The program is designed to help youth prepare for things like postsecondary education and future careers. Courses currently offered through the program include introduction to public speaking, introduction to agricultural communications, introduction to human development and introduction to personal financial planning.

Benefits of Participation

Benefits to 4-H Youth:

Combine 4-H project with advanced learning.
Use course assignments to help set goals, manage project expectations and increase knowledge within project area.
Obtain dual high school and college credit.

Benefits to Parents/Guardians:

Inexpensive opportunity for child to gain college credits.
Opportunity for 4-H youth to explore career opportunities and pathways.

Courses offered in Spring 2025

Introduction to Public Speaking COMM 106 (3 credit hours)

Public speaking is a skill that takes practice, and in this class, you’ll work on both writing and delivering speeches to become a more confident speaker. Crafting a speech involves more than just words; it’s an opportunity to shape ideas, much like writing an essay or composing a poem, adding an aesthetic dimension to public discourse. Some people find public speaking easy, while others find it challenging or even nerve-wracking. No matter where you’re starting from, this course will introduce you to the basics and give you plenty of practice to help you improve.

Introduction to Agricultural Communications AGCOM 110 (2 credit hours)

This introductory course in agricultural and natural resource communications is designed to provide an overview of the industry and the KSU degree program. Students will build foundational skills in communication and journalism, with an emphasis on AP style and audience targeting. The course encourages students to explore diverse perspectives on agriculture and food, and how these relate to effective communication. Additionally, students will learn to access and use personal growth and KSU resources to support their pre-college journey.

Introduction to Human Development HDFS 110 (3 credit hours)

This course offers an in-depth study of human development across the lifespan, focusing on the growth and change that occurs physically, socially, and psychologically from infancy through old age. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and understanding in an individual’s own developmental process, allowing students to reflect on how they evolve in response to life experiences and interactions with others. Students will explore how relationships with family, peers, and broader social networks influence development, and how these relationships shape personal identity and social roles over time. By examining developmental milestones and transitions, the course provides insight into the complexities of growth and adaptation within diverse social and cultural contexts.

Introduction to Personal Financial Planning PFP 105 (3 credit hours)

This course introduces the foundational principles of personal finance, focusing on the key skills and knowledge required for making sound financial decisions throughout life. Students will learn to analyze and evaluate strategies for managing money on both personal and family levels, covering essential topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, credit use, and debt management. The course also delves into goal-setting, financial planning, and risk assessment to empower students with the ability to develop short- and long-term financial strategies that align with their life aspirations. Additionally, students will gain insight into the psychological and societal factors that influence spending habits and financial behavior, preparing them to make informed choices in an increasingly complex economic environment.

Eligibility Criteria

Must be a junior or senior in high school and currently enrolled in 4-H.
Must have a high school cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher (students with a GPA between 2.0-2.74 can submit an exemption form).
Must complete the application, including all required signatures by the deadline (December 8, 2024).
Must obtain permission and required signatures from a parent/guardian, high school counselor/school official and local extension agent.
After acceptance into the program, you will need to complete the Kansas State University pre-college application, and select Discover Your Future from the drop down. For more information on the application process, review this application video and guide.
Students should be active in a 4-H project/office that aligns with this program. For example, a 4-H member enrolled in the photography project can take the ag communications course.
Must complete a 250-word essay explaning how involvement in 4-H has influenced your future career goals (essay must be uploaded within the application).
Must have access to the internet for participation in online courses.
Must pay a $90 program fee (only applicable if selected for the program).

Ready to Apply?

Complete the application by December 8, 2024 to be considered for spring class offerings.

Apply Now

Information on Accommodations

Students needing special accommodations to complete courses (504 and IEP’s) will work with the KSU Student Access Center.

The first step in the accommodation process is to register with the Student Access Center. Once registered with supporting documentation, an access advisor will contact you via email to set up an intake appointment. During the appointment, the access advisor will discuss appropriate accommodations, the process of requesting letters of accommodations, how to schedule exams (for those with testing accommodations) through the online system and other campus resources.

Estimated Costs

$90 application fee if selected.
Tuition costs will be paid for by the Discover Your Future scholarship.
Corresponding course fees:
- Introduction to Personal Financial Planning – no additional costs.
- Introduction to Human Development - $79 for access to Top Hat interactive textbook.
- Introduction to Agricultural Communications – Adobe Creative Suite's student price $19.99 per month (requires annual membership totaling $239.88. Students can cancel after the class with 50% of your remaining 12 month contract obligation).
- Communication Public Speaking - $10 open access textbook.

Timeline

November 1: Discover Your Future application opens.
November 13: Program informational webinar for 4-H youth, parents/guardians and agents.
December 8: Discover Your Future application deadline.
December 9-13: Review of applications.
December 16: Exceptance letters sent out.
December 16-20: Complete free pre-college applications to K-State.
January 10: Deadline for program fee ($90).
January 13: Official enrollment into courses.
January 15: Student class orientation webinar.
January 21: Class session begins.

Discover Your Future 4-H Program