As a TRIO professional, you work tirelessly to empower students to overcome barriers to higher education. But with evolving grant priorities, limited budgets, and high expectations, choosing the right workshops can feel overwhelming. How do you—while staying aligned with your program’s goals?
The key is selecting workshops that serve multiple objectives at once. Here’s how to make sure your choices maximize student success and program effectiveness.
1. Align Workshops with Grant Priorities
Grant priorities shift with each funding cycle, reflecting new educational policies and national needs. Choosing workshops that directly support these priorities keeps your program compliant and competitive for future funding.
For example:
If your grant emphasizes college readiness, workshops that strengthen core subjects like math, English, and science provide direct academic support.
When STEM exposure is a focus, hands-on learning experiences like coding or engineering workshops check multiple boxes—grant alignment, career readiness, and student engagement.
By strategically selecting workshops that align with funding priorities, you ensure your program remains sustainable while fulfilling its mission of preparing students for higher education.
2. Equip Students with Skills for Academic and College Success
Workshops shouldn’t just inform—they should equip students with skills they can immediately apply in the classroom and beyond. Academic success sessions that boost performance in key subjects, alongside college prep workshops, give students a real advantage.
Some high-impact topics include:
✅ Time Management – Helping students balance academics, extracurriculars, and personal responsibilities.
✅ Study Skills – Teaching effective learning strategies tailored to different students.
✅ Exam Preparation – SAT, ACT, and state exit exam strategies to improve scores and confidence.
By providing workshops that address these essential skills, you’re not just preparing students for college—you’re giving them tools for lifelong success.
3. Expand Students’ Career Possibilities Through Exposure
Students can’t aspire to what they don’t know exists. That’s why career exposure workshops are crucial—they introduce students to opportunities they may never have considered.
For example:
STEM Exploration – “Engineering for a Day” or “Coding Essentials” workshops introduce students to high-demand careers in tech and engineering.
Financial Literacy – Practical sessions on budgeting, saving, and planning for college expenses.
Career Pathway Panels – Industry professionals share their experiences and inspire students to explore non-traditional career paths.
These workshops don’t just broaden career horizons—they give students a sense of purpose, connecting their academic efforts to exciting future possibilities.
Maximize Impact: Choose Workshops That Address Multiple Goals
The most effective workshops do more than check one box—they align with grant priorities, build academic and life skills, and expand career awareness. For example, a STEM career exploration workshop that also teaches problem-solving meets multiple objectives. An SAT prep workshop that strengthens writing skills supports both test prep and English proficiency.
At Tried & True Education, we specialize in workshops designed to meet these overlapping needs—so you don’t have to compromise.
We know every TRIO program is unique, and we’re here to help you craft a strategy that fits your goals. Explore our proven workshop options today and give your students an experience that makes a difference.
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