As the academic year draws to a close, the 2025 JA Fellows program has successfully prepared its participants for meaningful career pathways in San Diego’s evolving economy. This workforce development initiative provides high school juniors and seniors with comprehensive professional training through a combination of classroom instruction and practical experience.
Over the course the semester, students from Lincoln High, Hoover High, and Chula Vista Learning Community Charter School engaged in various career readiness activities. Through site-visits to local businesses, career panels, and mentorship opportunities students strengthened their communication skills, gained familiarity with workplace culture, and the developed their professional networks in local industries.
“I thought I had really good social skills at the beginning, but I definitely learned more advanced social skills and how to have a conversation in professional settings,” said Isabella, a JA Fellow at CVLCC. “I also learned more about networking, and not just talking to them and getting their LinkedIn, but actually making a meaningful conversation that I could connect back with them later in order to ask questions or ask for advice.”
From Classroom to Career: The Summer Youth Employment Program
The JA Fellows experience culminates in the Summer Youth Employment Program, where students apply their skills in paid work-based learning roles. Partnering with leading San Diego employers—including banking institutions with Mission Fed Credit Union, small businesses like Maya’s Cookies, and healthcare providers such as Neighborhood Healthcare—JA Fellows gain firsthand industry experience and familiarity with workplace expectations.
Santiago, a rising senior at Hoover High, will be working at the County of San Diego Treasurer & Tax Collector’s Office exploring the career pathways within the public sector. He is interested in pursuing a career in the finance or STEM fields.
“I’m mostly looking forward to learning about how things on the inside work, not just necessarily the money aspect, but all the things that go into taxes,” said Santiago.
Preparing for Long-Term Success
Students have become equipped with the practical skills, industry exposure, and professional networks that will serve as critical foundations for their career development. As JA Fellow students transition into their summer work experiences and embark on their journeys of early adulthood, they are positioned to apply these competencies to thrive in their future careers.