Readiness Institute Summer Discovery

Readiness Institute Summer Discovery is a five-week, paid learning experience that includes interactive skills workshops, field trips, group projects, and real-world learning opportunities. The program is designed to prepare students for college, career, and life alongside a cohort of peers. Students engage with industry professionals, community organizations, Penn State leaders, and their peers, and they create personalized road maps for future success.

• Ages: 17–18 years old
• Schedule: Five-week, paid learning experience from June 29–July 30, 2026, meeting Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

The Readiness Institute at Penn State connects education, industry, and community partners to prepare students for a purpose-driven future, and it is celebrating five years of Summer Discovery. All Penn State youth programs have policies in place to ensure the safety of youth participating in the programs. The program is expanding its Pittsburgh programming into a year-round experience that provides long-term exploration of career, college, and civic pathways, and its Alumni Network keeps participants connected with peers, mentors, and the Readiness Institute. Applicants for staff roles are experienced teachers and/or counselors who can work 30 hours per week for six weeks from June to August, plus orientation the week before the program starts. The leadership team includes Matt Caracappa, Assistant Director of Communications.

A former participant, Alexandria, Summer Discovery 2021, now an engineering student at Penn State University Park, shared that before the Readiness Institute, she did not really know who she was, and that through the Summer Discovery activities she was able to realize her potential and understand who she is now and who she wants to be, and she believes that her life is better because of it.

Last updated July 11, 2026.