Youth Employment

The University of Excellence is the Club's signature job readiness training program. Over a series of structured sessions, teens learn the fundamentals of employment: how to search for a job, complete an application, write a resume, prepare for an interview, and succeed in the workplace. The program also covers financial literacy topics like understanding paychecks, managing earnings, and opening a bank account.

Participants practice through mock interviews, role-playing exercises, and workplace simulations. Guest speakers from local businesses share what they look for when hiring young people. Teens who complete the program earn a certificate of completion and receive priority consideration for Club employment opportunities and external job placements.

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides eligible teens with paid summer employment opportunities at the Boys & Girls Club and with community partner organizations. Participants earn a real paycheck while gaining hands-on work experience in fields like youth development, food service, facilities management, office administration, and community service.

SYEP combines work experience with ongoing professional development workshops throughout the summer. Topics include workplace communication, time management, conflict resolution, and career planning. Each participant is paired with a supervisor who provides mentoring and regular performance feedback.