Karman is an initiative dedicated to guiding Pontiac high school seniors through personalized career pathways that will help them stay on track as they pursue careers and higher education after graduation. The name, Karman, refers to the Karman Line used by scientists to distinguish where the earth’s atmosphere ends and outer space begins. 

Karman is committed to providing a bridge for students between the life they have known and the dreams and goals that wait for them beyond what they can see. By helping students identify their passions, interests, and personality strengths through nationally-recognized tools, such as StrengthsFinder and Myers-Briggs, we can introduce them to career pathways they are genuinely excited about pursuing. In partnership with Oakland University, GM Leadership Foundry, Talent Development Coalition, Pontiac Community Foundation, and outside businesses, we develop detailed post-high school plans with students related to the education, trade, or training needed to get them where they want to go. We do this by partnering students with real-world business professionals as mentors for year-round coaching and support or connecting them into existing programs that will teach them a skill or trade they desire to learn and pursue full-time. In order to remove barriers related to resources, Karman helps guide students through paths of exposure such as scholarships, certifications, resume writing, internships, entrepreneurship development, etc. In partnership with Karman alumni, current students will hear firsthand about the importance of making a plan while keeping in mind the challenges of following your dreams in the real world and be provided with strategies to navigate them. 

Pontiac Community Foundation has recognized Karman’s founder, Josh Kozlowski, as the right leader to partner with in order to serve at-risk students who trust his already established mentorship role in their lives. Because Karman operates in cooperation with the school district, the program is unique in its rapport with students. Josh has built relationships and credibility with students and their families over the past 10+ years of teaching upperclassmen in the Pontiac School District, which makes him invaluable to the success of connecting students directly in the classroom into a program such as this.