Career Exploration Partners

To encourage our youth to learn about the widest range of career possibilities, Futures and Options is continually expanding our network of business partners. A key part of our mission is to share the possibilities of a wide range of industries with teens. With that in mind, career exploration
plays an essential part in our program.

Thanks to business partners who open doors to Futures and Options, we make it possible for teens to interact with professionals in the work world and immerse themselves in creative career exploration events at different New York City businesses.

Thank you to these industry leaders for opening their doors to our students for career exploration events:

Our highlights:

Pfizer Inc.

Pfizer employee Nadja Johnson and The Frederick Douglass Academy Summer Intern Shayla Russell.

Pfizer Inc. gave a warm welcome to Futures and Options summer interns from The Frederick Douglass Academy in Harlem. Thanks to the efforts of our board member Ozias Moore, Pfizer's Team Leader, US Vendor Operations, and Savitri Basavaiah, the company's Director, Primary Care Strategy & Innovation, the interns enjoyed a morning of career exploration activities with more than 20 Pfizer volunteers.

The interns gathered in Pfizer's state-of-the-art conference center for a presentation on the pharmaceutical industry and Pfizer's history. Following this excellent introduction, a panel of volunteers from various departments – legal, medical affairs, finance, customer engagement and sales, strategy, promotion and vendor operations – shared stories about their career paths as well as their jobs at Pfizer.

The volunteers also turned out to be terrific advisors. Our interns got valuable input about college majors, the importance of attitude and outlook, and many more success-track tips. Even more exciting, the rest of the morning was dedicated to mock interviews, resume critiques and a breakout workshop on networking skills. Along with an appreciation for Pfizer, interns left Career Exploration Day more prepared for their next real interview – and even more appreciative of the value of
networking.

" I learned more about Pfizer as a pharmaceutical company; the drugs they manufacture and distribute and how long it takes to see an idea turn into a product. Additionally the resume critiquing and mock interviews were very informative. I learned how to speak about myself properly and sell myself on paper."

-Jaimi Ross, Summer 2010 Intern,The Frederick Douglass Academy

New York Stock Exchange Field Trip

Futures and Options Summer Internship Program students visit the New York Stock Exchange for a career exploration field trip. From back row: Ramrod Britt, Kamoy Joseph, Adam Turay, Marquis Jernigan, and Randy Garcia. Front Row: Thay Brown, Trent Sanders, Jah-Vin Vaughan, Weeks Mensah, Domonique Powell, and Stephen Daise.

A trip to the New York Stock Exchange is always a thrill. But when your guides are Mirtha Medina, Media Relations Associate, Corporate Communications, Alyssa Schoenfeld, Vice President/Business Project Management Office, and David Ma, Business Analyst, Corporate Strategy and Development, you're in for a special look at this legendary institution. In August, Futures and Options enjoyed that experience as part of a career exploration field trip.

Schoenfeld and Ma explained the range of positions at NYSE and Medina gave the interns a detailed tour. Interns were excited to meet analysts, researchers and brokers, who explained their roles and responsibilities.

Interns Visit Morgan Stanley

Arthur Ziehi Baton, Jr. visits Morgan Stanley and learns more about their compliance department.

Morgan Stanley's global head of compliance gave 14 Futures and Options interns a privileged look at this financial-services leader's business. Stuart Breslow captivated his audience with a detailed overview of his department. With communications as the theme of the day, Morgan Stanley volunteers emphasized the importance of clear communication with co-workers and employers in the professional world. Every intern was matched with a Morgan Stanley volunteer; the interns had seven minutes to complete an "interview" before switching to a new volunteer. This fast-paced, one-on-one experience gave our interns a valuable chance to practice communication and interpersonal skills.

To become a partner, please email Keleigh Spinner or call 212-601-0002.