For the second consecutive year, the Summer Youth Employment Program led by Junior Achievement of San Diego County (JA San Diego) is connecting local high school students to paid employment experiences.
Over 100 students from southeast San Diego, Mid-City, South County, and Escondido are gaining hands-on work experience at one of 30 site host partners representing a range of industries including architecture and real estate with Carrier Johnson, accounting at Deloitte, and biotech with Illumina.
“This cross-sector collaboration is a ‘win-win-win’ for students, local businesses, and the broader regional economy,” said JA San Diego President & CEO Sidd Vivek. “Students get access and experience in the workforce while getting paid while businesses build diverse talent pipelines and engage their existing employees through volunteerism and leadership development. That’s good for business and good for community.”
Initiatives and collaborative efforts like the Summer Youth Employment Program play a vital role in bridging the gap between education and employment, especially for historically marginalized communities who have often been underrepresented in these fields. Through the experience, students are able to build their social capital and professional networks while gaining an understanding of the pathways they can take to achieve their future career goals.
“Participating in JA SYEP has been a highly memorable experience for me and has given me a head start on my future career path,” said Evelin M., a student at Hoover High. “Being exposed to my desired career field so early on is a huge privilege and is significantly preparing me for my future. I’ve learned several new and valuable skills at Snell & Wilmer, been exposed to great professionals, and have been received very kindly.”
Initiatives like SYEP support young people in recognizing and achieving their potential, while serving to cultivate a robust local talent pipeline that supports the long-term sustainability and growth of the San Diego regional economy.
Learn how you can get involved by connecting with our team at mbowen@jasandiego.org.
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