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The Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective

The Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective Logo

The Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective is a community-driven, career development program to prepare high school students for the future of work. Through interactive sessions and hands-on activities, students build professional skills, increase their confidence and gain exposure to a wide range of career pathways. Participants are inspired by nationally recognized speakers and engage with business professionals in the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region. The program emphasizes real-world application, helping students better understand what it takes to succeed in today’s workplace.   

Program Details

Programming is delivered over six weekly summer sessions. Participants will receive a stipend for the events they attend. Registration and parent/guardian permission forms are required. 

 Sessions focus on building foundational professional and life skills including:

  • Professional presence and communication
  • Time, stress and energy management
  • Career exploration and networking
  • Personal finance and goal setting 

The first five sessions will be held on Fridays from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Principal®, with one session moved to Thursday due to a federal holiday. An optional lunch begins at Noon. The celebration event on Friday, July 24 is from Noon – 2 p.m. 

Register Now

2026 Schedule of Events

Friday, June 13:

  • Breakout Session Topics: Demonstrating Leadership through Professional Presence, Meaningful Communication for Connection and a Professional Networking Event

Friday, June 18:

  • Breakout Session Topics: Personal Finance, Foundations for Goal Achievement and a hands-on financial literacy challenge

Friday, June 26: 

  • Breakout Session Topics: Exploring College, Trade and Workforce Pathways, Knowing and Telling Your Story, and a College Fair

Friday, July 10: 

  • Breakout Session Topics: From Chaos to Calm: Time & Stress Management, Knowing and Sustaining Boundaries and a Career Fair

Friday, July 17: 

  • Breakout Session Topics: Interview Like a Pro, Mastering Care-Frontation and a Mock Interview Experience

Friday, July 24: 

  • Celebration Luncheon, Certificate Ceremony and Small Group Reflection

Have any questions? Contact Krista Van Hooser-Perin, Director of Workforce at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, for more information. 

After registering, if you are 18, complete the permission form linked below. If under 18, have a parent/guardian complete the permission form linked below. 

Parent/Guardian Permission Form

The Career Ready Collective is funded by the Legacy Project, a fundraising initiative of the Principal® Charity Classic with support from Sammons Financial. To learn more about how you or your organization can support the Legacy Project please contact Principal Charity Classic staff at info@principalcharityclassic.com.