NYC youth programs connect students with career pathways
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Two of the nation's largest youth employment initiatives are giving New York City students opportunities to explore careers, build skills and gain workplace experience through free, paid programs for eligible participants.
For many students, the programs offer more than a paycheck. They provide exposure to new career paths, mentorship and academic support while helping young people discover possibilities for their future.
Inside a building in the Bronx, 14-year-old Gabriel Peters reflected on what he gained from participating in one of the city's summer programs.
"I learned so much more than I thought I would learn in school," Peters said.
The experience broadened his ambitions, he said.
"I really wanted to be an actor or singer but now my worlds are expanding and there's a lot more I want to do," Peters said.
Peters participated in the Summer Youth Empowerment Program, which serves roughly 100,000 participants each year. As part of the six-week program, he worked on a partnership project involving Microsoft and the Hip Hop Museum, which is slated to open next year.
"On Monday I would go to the Microsoft building and I would learn about A.I.; they had a lot of guest speakers. In my school I'm a music major so I already knew a lot of it, so I wanted to see how they would come together and how they would work out," Peters said.
The experience led to an internship opportunity with the museum.
The program operates under the city's Department of Youth and Community Development and serves young people ages 14 to 24. Organizers said participation often leads to paid employment opportunities.
The city partners with dozens of providers, including Children's Arts and Science Workshops in Crotona Park East.
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"They learn communication, they learn teamwork, they learn workplace competency, how to advocate for themselves, things that transcend being a young person, these are skills they can take into adulthood," said Janae Russell-Goyco, SYEP In-School Youth and Community Programming director.
Another initiative, Learn & Earn, serves about 1,100 high school juniors and seniors. The program runs during the summer and throughout the school year.
"I feel that everyone who says I want a job, they should get a job," said Julissa Figueroa of Youth Workforce.
Figueroa said the programs help students build qualifications and experience before applying to college.
"Without these programs, they wouldn't have anything to put on their resume when they apply for college, right now when you apply to college, it's almost like you are applying for a job," Figueroa said.
Both programs are free and open to New York City public school students.
Organizers said one of the most notable outcomes is the personal growth participants experience during their time in the programs.
"They start off being a little shy...by the time they graduate, they are this amazing, thriving 18-year-old who knows more about the world that I do," Russell-Goyco said.
