Monday, February 10, 2025

Junior Achievement Provides Paid Work for San Diego Youth

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Over 150 local high school students were connected to paid work experiences with leading San Diego industries this summer through the recently launched summer youth experience/employment program (SYEP) created by Junior Achievement of San Diego County (JA San Diego) in alignment with County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas’ Youth Empowerment Initiative.


The opportunity allows high school juniors and seniors to develop and hone work-based competencies while building their professional networks in career-bound pathways. Students gained experience at local companies like Hawthorne Cat (construction), Carrier Johnson+CULTURE (architecture and design), and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (pharmaceuticals).
“Connecting young people early to career pathways and mentors helps them identify the types of opportunities that align with their interests, values, and economic goals before they make post-secondary decisions,” JA San Diego President & CEO Sidd Vivek shared with GB Magazine.


Work-based learning experiences have a significant positive impact on students’ social capital and professional networks based on findings from the Brookings Institute. Establishing supportive professional relationships and developing an expansive network of connections provides students with support throughout their professional journeys, particularly during the job seeking process as their networks can help open new opportunities and connections.


Students from BIPOC and historically marginalized communities are less likely to experience paid work-based learning opportunities which often have a strong influence over students’ professional trajectory, according to research from the Strada Education Foundation. When also considering that demand for talent in the innovation sector set to double over the next decade as forecasted by the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, connecting young people to career pathways in leading industries is critical to developing an inclusive and diverse local talent pipeline.


SYEP intentionally engages students in communities that have historically been under-resourced and under-represented in San Diego’s growing economy. Participating students attend school at Chula Vista Learning Community Charter (CVLCC), Morse High, and Lincoln High in Southeast San Diego.


“The County District Office not only provided me a chance to learn about politics involved in the community I live in but grants me the privilege to step out of my comfort zone and be exposed to a different type of environment. This experience will not only help me further develop as a professional but set my path towards both learning more about political science and legal studies in college, as well as my future career,” said CVLCC senior Axel Juarez.


With the demand for skilled workers in innovative sectors set to rise, initiatives and collaborative efforts like SYEP play a vital role in bridging the gap between education and employment, especially for young people from historically marginalized communities who have often been underrepresented in these fields. Through joint efforts between educators, businesses, and community leaders, an equitable and diverse local talent pipeline can be developed to ensure young people have the opportunity to realize their potential and contribute meaningfully to their local communities and regional economy.
www.jasandiego.org

Danitza Villanueva
Danitza Villanueva
Danitza Villanueva was born in San Diego but spent her youth with her family in Tijuana and grew up on both sides of the border. She has transferred her unique insight of cross-border culture, trends and philanthropy to her business and community interests. Danitza is the first woman from her family to graduate from college. She has two degrees, one from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Fashion Marketing, and a second from San Diego Christian College in Communications. After starting GB Magazine with Esteban Villanueva in 2007, she has gone on to win awards and recognition from the community for her support of helping raise millions of dollars for non-profit organizations. Currently she resides in East County in San Diego where she and her husband Esteban run DAESVI Publishing, home to GB Magazine, among several other publications.

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