Next Prep at Kairos: From Career Pathways to St. Louis Internships

For many families, the question of what comes after high school can feel a long way off. At Kairos, we believe students can start answering that question long before graduation.

Through Next Prep, Kairos students have opportunities to explore careers, meet professionals, visit local businesses and universities, develop workplace skills, and connect their interests to real opportunities after high school. With the support of a 1:1 mentor, students build a personalized plan based on who they are, what they value, and where they want to go next.

For Kairos senior Deshawn Frazier, that journey has taken him from career exploration workshops in 9th grade to a paid internship in engineering and precision machining today–with an apprenticeship on the horizon after graduation.

Deshawn's Next Prep Journey

Deshawn's experience shows how career pathways can develop over time.

In 9th grade, Deshawn participated in Next Prep Career Exploration Workshops, where he was introduced to professionals working in advanced manufacturing. That early exposure helped him begin thinking about careers he may not have encountered otherwise.

The following year, trips to HiTek, mulitple engineering firms, and the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at St. Louis Community College gave Deshawn a firsthand look at what careers in precision machining and engineering can look like day-to-day.

By 11th grade, Deshawn had found an area he wanted to explore more deeply. He was accepted into the Next Prep Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing (STAM) Intensive–where he explored career options and earned industry-recongized credentials.

Now in his Senior year, Deshawn is putting that preparation into practice through a paid internship at Essex Industries. He is gaining hands-on experience in engineering and precision machining while continuing to build the technical skills he'll need for an apprenticeship after graduation.

Reflecting on his experience, Deshawn said:

"I enjoyed that Next Prep gave us the chance to explore different careers. I feel like STAM [Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing] helped me a ton in figuring out what fit me and what didn't."

Featured by The Opportunity Trust

Deshawn's journey was recently highlighted in The Opportunity Trust's August 2026 Next Prep Newsletter, which showcases students and career-connected learning opportunities at particiapting St. Louis schools.

We're proud to see Dashawn's hard work and growth recognized–and his story offers a glimpse into what can happen have when students have the opportunity to explore their interests, gain real-world experience, and build connections with local employers.

Read Deshawn's full feature in The Opportunity Trust's August 2026 Next Prep Newsletter.

Build a Career Pathway That's Your Own

Deshawn's path won't look exactly like every other Kairos student's–and that's the point.

At Kairos, career preparation isn't about telling students what they should become. It's about giving them the experiences, relationships, and support they need to discover what interests them and make informed decisions about their future.

For one student, that might mean discovering a passion for advanced manufacturing. For another, it could mean exploring health care, aerospace engineering, technology, the arts, or another field entirely. Along the way, students can connect classroom learning to the world beyond high school.

With a 1:1 mentor helping navigate the process, Kairos students aren't expected to figure everything out on their own. They have a trusted adult in their corner helping them turn interests into goals–and goals into a concrete plan for what comes next.

About Kairos Academies

Kairos is a free public charter school serivng grades 5-12 in St. Louis. At Kairos, students are known deeply, challenged daily, and encouraged to dream boldly. We support students as they build the skills, confidence, and sense of self to shape their own futures. From career exploration and internships to college and career preparation, we help students connect what they learn in school to where they want to go next.

Interested in learning more? Apply today to begin your Kairos Academies journey.

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