This year’s enhanced Youth Employment Services (YES) program was restructured to provide a more thoughtful, enriching, and premier summer internship experience. Not only did the interns gain real-world experience, but they connected with the various community members to learn how important relationships are for a city to thrive. Each intern was paired with a working professional mentor from the City of Monrovia, Oak Crest Institute of Science, Centre Stage, the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce, the Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills, or Raw Inspirations – the city’s Street Fair & Market coordinator.
“I experienced new life skills that taught me how the world works outside of school. I loved how I could be myself, all while being professional at the same time when teaching others. While teaching students, they taught me something too – that I can impact other people and be the best leader I can be” said Alycia Mills, an intern for Oak Crest Institute of Science.
Local government revolves around serving the community to create a premier life for constituents and visitors, and this was exactly what the internship was designed to showcase. The structured summer job incorporated real-world work experience and access to training topics that included computer skills, public speaking, interview skills, resume development, customer service expectations, and personal financial responsibility. In addition, each YES intern was tasked with developing a summer project to improve one area of the operation to which they were assigned. Their ideas for improvement were then presented at the end of the summer program in a formal board-room type environment.
Isabella Sandoval, who was assigned to the Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills said, “This program taught me how to communicate better with others, mature as an individual, use my voice, and helped me be more independent without always needing my parent’s help.”
Most importantly, this opportunity was a great way for youth to develop professional skills, build strong relationships with the community, and create memories that will last a lifetime. YES interns will celebrate a formal recognition ceremony on Sept. 4, at 6:30 p.m., at Monrovia City Hall. A reception will be held immediately after the recognition.
