Career Exploration Partners
In FY 2009, we expanded volunteer-driven enrichment activities and field trips in order to broaden the students' perspective of career options, provide opportunities to interact with adults in the work world, and enhance their exposure to cultural venues and experiences.
Our highlights:
In October 2008, 10 students from Brooklyn Preparatory High School attended a career exploration event at FBR Capital Markets. Volunteers organized a two hour session for the students to see what an investment bank looks and feels like, meet the people who do the work, and find out what it takes to get a job in the field. In January, Tarik Turner, Vice President of Institutional Equity Trading, organized a "Mock Trading Day" for 17 Futures and Options interns. The interns visited with six volunteers who spoke about their personal career paths and the field of investment banking and trading. The youth learned about "a day in the life of a trader."
Thanks to our board member James Liu and several volunteers, 25 Futures and Options youth visited The Blackstone Group this past April for a career exploration event. The volunteers, who represented the various business sectors within Blackstone, spoke to the students about their work and career paths as well as the education, attitude and work ethic necessary to be successful at Blackstone.
Gap and Banana Republic volunteers were key participants in our Pre-Internship Program's closing session. Volunteers conducted the final mock interviews with our teens and gave them expert feedback and advice about their presentation and interview skills. The participation of volunteers who interview as part of their profession greatly enhances this learning experience for the youth.
John Loustau, human resources manager from Banana Republic, was an engaging and informative guest speaker at a career developement workshop. He spoke about the world of retail and the different types of retail jobs. The youth also learned what types of job interview questions they should be prepared to answer, what they should accomplish during an interview, and good post interview etiquette.
At our April 14th career exploration field trip to CB Richard Ellis, the interns from George Westinghouse High School learned about the world of commercial real estate. After a video was shown about the company, a panel of five CBRE volunteers spoke about their personal career paths and job responsibilities, which allowed the students to learn about the different career opportunities in the field. One highlight of the trip was the mock "game show" competition where students proudly displayed their newly acquired knowledge.
Futures and Options visited the New York Stock Exchange on June 16th. This event, which was enjoyed by interns, alumni and staff, included a guided tour of the trading floor and the Closing Bell, followed by a presentation about the history of the New York Stock Exchange in the board room.
At PricewaterhouseCoopers, our Pre-Internship youth were introduced to the world of accounting thanks to volunteers who discussed their career paths and their jobs in the various specialty areas of the firm. At our fall career exploration event, the youth worked in teams to create and present the plans for building a community center. In the spring, our high school youth participated in a team building activity and the middle school youth participated in an Accounting/Pop Culture Trivia game
"One of my favorite parts was sitting at the table well dressed with my peers and having to look and feel important. I always watch it on TV, but never thought I'd get to experience it. Once again I would like to thank you and the Futures and Options programs for the great opportunity."
- Nashwan Alseelwe
Futures and Options Intern
Colgate-Palmolive Company opened its doors to Futures and Options' Pre-Internship youth so they could learn first-hand about the internship experience at the company, meet with some of its employees, and receive valuable advice on interviewing from Eugene Kelly, World Wide Director, Global Workplace Initiatives. The middle school youth were treated to lunch with Mr. Kelly, watched an engaging video about the company and then divided into two teams for a Colgate-Palmolive trivia contest.
To become a partner please email Stefanie Jones or call 212-601-0002.
