The Career Exploration Programs (or ExPrograms) at Abington Friends School offer students in Grades 10 and 11 immersive, hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world careers.

Through direct engagement with professionals, site visits, and skill-building workshops, students gain insight into potential paths and the confidence to pursue them. These programs are designed to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and help students imagine—and begin shaping—their future. 

During the 2025-26 school year, there are four cohorts exploring their passions: BizEx (Business), LabEx (Science), ChefEx (Culinary), and SportEx (Sports). Below are some reflections from students on their initial site visits and guest speakers this fall:

ChefEx

From Chase White '27: "ChefEx heard from AFS alumnus and Chef Matt Pohubka '16 all about the different occupations of workers in a kitchen. It was a bried overview of the industry, including how salaries and availability differ depending on the title you have in a restaurant. Pohubka inspired the students to always have a plan for what's next for themselves when entering the restaurant industry, because with the example of COVID, many setbacks can occur. Overall students had a wonderful time hearing Pohubka's stories about his experiences at other restaurants and heartily appreciated his invite to his current restaurant Middle Child Clubhouse in Philly!"

From Gabby Cordón '26: "The ChefEx cohort also visited Banana Nana Pudding, a banana pudding bakery known for its creative twists on a classic dessert. During our visit, we met with the owner of Banana Nana, Denée Bynum and her daughter Saiyonna who also works in their warm and cozy bakery.  They shared their insights about running a small business and staying passionate in the culinary industry. They told us their story on how Banana Nana started out as a business from the trunk of her car and grew through dedication, experimentation, and word of mouth. One key message that stuck with me was the importance of creativity and adaptability- how trying new flavors and listening to the customers helped the business thrive. They also emphasized how success in the food industry isn't just about cooking skills, but about persistence, teamwork and love for what you do. Overall, the visit gave usma better understanding of what it takes to turn a culinary dream into a real business."

BizEx

 

From Remy Alper '27: "The BizEx cohort recently gathered for a session focused on building a business in an AI-driven world. The speakers led a thoughtful discussion on how AI is rapidly changing the way companies are formed, and operated. A key takeaway I had was the importance of staying adaptable, since AI technologies evolve quickly and can shift what businesses look like very fast. They highlighted both the opportunities and challenges that come with integrating AI into a business as there are negatives and positives. Overall, the session provided the cohort with valuable takeaways to better prepare for the evolving role of AI in entrepreneurship and business."

SportEx

From Ava Ruff '27 & Jalyn Hopkins '27: "The cohort met for an engaging session focused on sports media and creative marketing. The guest speakers were AFS alums Emily Fishman (from ESPN) and Allie Slagter (from the WWE!) who shared their experiences producing commercials for major sporting events. They explained how their work often prioritizes big games and matches, where creative storytelling has the greatest impact. The speakers highlighted the importance of connecting audiences to sports brands through emotion and authenticity. For the group activity, participants were challenged to come up with a team name for the new Philadelphia women’s basketball team and create a commercial concept that would introduce the team and tie it to Philadelphia’s culture and pride. The session encouraged teamwork, creativity, and a deeper understanding of how media shapes fan engagement in sports."