Opportunity Next: Scholarships for Colorado High Schoolers
Opportunity Next was created when the Colorado state government allocated $25 million to accelerate skill development among graduating high school seniors. Their main goal is to make sure the next generation of professionals know about the fast-growing and purpose-driven careers that the Centennial state is home to and that they are prepared to succeed and thrive in those careers.
Who is eligible for the Opportunity Next Scholarship?
- You must be a 2024 graduate of a Colorado high school (including GED) who is interested in pursuing education or training aligned within one of the high priority pathways identified by the state: Navigate Colorado’s Thriving Industries
- You must enroll in one of the participating programs across Colorado in order to be rewarded: Apply to Colorado scholarship programs
Why should you enroll with Digital Workshop Center?
For those who have never found any interest in getting a traditional college degree but still want to have an exciting and well paying career, let us introduce ourselves. As a vocational tech school, the staff at DWC know quite a bit about what it takes to prepare students to succeed in the fastest-growing tech careers, such as Data Science, Web Development, and Digital Marketing.
We have small class sizes, industry experts as instructors, and we won’t take four years to earn valuable job skills. We’ll also double match the Opportunity Next scholarship and give you an additional $3,000! That’s a total of $4,500 to earn the skills that will help land in-demand career opportunities.
As a DWC student, you will have access to industry experts not only as your instructors, but also as your mentors. We only hire instructors who have at least 10 years of industry experience, so you know the instruction is top notch. You also have access to free career coaching which includes resume writing guidance, job search help, and even mock interviewing.
Why should you pursue a certificate program?
By earning a certificate, you not only validate expertise but open doors to a myriad of opportunities including networking, mentorship, and job prospects that might have always seemed to be a bit out of reach. Those who commit the time and effort it takes to learn a new skill are those who often catch the eye of future employers and their hiring managers. Earning a certification can also…
- Provide Networking Opportunities: Many certification programs offer opportunities to connect with other like-minded professionals in your industry through online forums, workshops, and alumni events.
- Leverage Adaptability and Relevance: All industries, but especially the tech industry, evolves rapidly and often so fast we can barely keep up with all of the advancements. Earning certifications demonstrate a commitment to staying up-to-date with industry developments.
- Enhance Current Skills with New Ones: Improved performance in current and future roles should be a priority of every professional and earning a certification deepens understanding of particular technologies and methodologies.
Check out these releated articles:
➡️ Certifications Drive Career Development
➡️ Career Goals & Tech Certifications: Mapping out Success
➡️ Pursuing Tech Certifications: How to Balance Work and Learning
Which DWC certificate programs can you enroll in?
We currently have a range of certificate programs that are eligible for the Opportunity Next scholarship. Those certificate programs offer a range of opportunities to learn from industry experts about the current tools and systems that current tech professionals need to be skilled in. The following certificate programs are currently available to enroll in with classes starting in October of 2024 or January of 2025:
Digital Marketing – Learn the essential skills of digital marketing professionals, including Search Engine Optimization, Google Analytics, organic vs. paid marketing, email marketing, and the best content creation tools such as Photoshop. What careers are possible with these skills? Brand Manager, Social Media Analyst, Product Marketing Manager, and Content Strategist. Learn more: Digital Marketing Certificate
Video Design – Learn the essential and fundamental skills of video designers, including expanding vocabulary of design principles and elements, tackling Adobe softwares like Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and gain insight into how best to go about video marketing strategies. What careers are possible with these skills? Video Marketer, Video Editor, Content Developer, and Multimedia Designer. Learn more: Video Design Certificate
Frontend Web Development – Learn the foundational skills in frontend web development and become skills in HTML & CSS languages as well as Javascript. You’ll also learn the importance of Search Engine Optimizations and Google Analytics. What careers are possible with these skills? Frontend Web Developer, User Interface Designer, Web Analyst, and Mobile Designer. Learn more: Frontend Web Development Certificate Bootcamp
Advanced Graphic Design – Expand on the essential skills of a graphic designer, including combining design elements with design principles by engaging with the most effective content creation tools out there, like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. What careers are possible with these skills? Content Manager, User Interface Designer, Graphic Designer, and Web Designer. Learn more: Advanced Graphic Design Certificate
Data Science – Learn essential skills of the data science field by diving deep into coding using Python software, organizing and cleaning up data, and familiarize yourself with statistics, visualizations, and reports. You’ll also learn the basics of optimizations, machine learning, and how AI is playing a role in this industry. What careers are possible with these skills? Data Analyst, Data Modeler, Data Architect, and Big Data Engineer. Learn more: Data Science Certificate
UX Design – Learn the design fundamentals of UX through understanding the core of UX design which includes defining a persona and target audience, user flows, understanding the role of accessibility and usability, and what Agile design really means. Work with tools like Figma, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator. What careers are possible with these skills? Product Designer, User Experience (UX) Designer, User Experience Researcher, and Front-End Developer. Learn more: UX Design Certificate
Interested?
The Opportunity Next Scholarship presents an unparalleled chance for Colorado high school graduates to leap into the state’s thriving industries with confidence and skill. Enrolling at DWC is the smartest move you can make to seize this opportunity. With a focus on hands-on, industry-relevant training, DWC not only prepares you for the fast-paced tech world but also boosts your financial aid through our generous scholarship match. Whether it’s digital marketing, data science, or UX design, DWC equips you with the expertise and support needed to thrive in your chosen career.
Don’t just dream about the future—build it with DWC.