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COVID-19: To protect the health and safety of our employees, program participants, and communities, Vermont Works for Women has closed our office and transitioned to working remotely. Our team is available to support women looking for employment. Click here to learn more.

We are also adapting our youth programming, transitioning content online to provide educators and parents with educational, inspirational content on non-traditional career pathways, skill development, and STEM/trades exploration. Click here to learn more.

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Youth @ Work: Job Shadow Program

Youth @ Work: Job Shadow Program Banner Youth @ Work: Job Shadow Program Banner

Youth @ Work

A career exploration and professional skill development program for female and gender non-conforming high school students

Program Overview

Youth@Work is a job shadow program for young women and gender non-conforming individuals in high school. As a part of Youth@Work, students will participate in career exploration opportunities and professional skill development with a group of their peers. Students will have the opportunity to engage with mentors at local businesses and to experience a “typical day of work” in these businesses.

  • Career exploration: Discover career opportunities at your local businesses, and learn about career fields in which women are underrepresented.
  • Professional skill development: Learn skills needed to thrive in the workplace from Vermont Works for Women’s (VWW) very own staff members. Better yet, topics are chosen based on YOUR interests!
  • Connections to other youth: Connect with other youth in the Youth@Work program to form peer relationships with other young women and gender non-conforming individuals in high schools in your region
  • Mentor relationships: Develop relationships with your mentors at local businesses through job shadows, “lunch-and-learns,” discussion sessions, and more.
  • A “typical day at work”: Shadow employees to learn about their jobs and their experiences at various local businesses. See how a business operates and observe its work environment, physical space, and office culture.

 

Youth@Work highlights low-barrier career fields with the potential for high earnings. “Low-barrier” careers are those that are easy to enter, either through robust on-the-job training opportunities or through lower prior education and experience requirements. Additionally, the program introduces students to female or gender non-conforming role models in industries in which women are underrepresented.

Workshop topics:

  • Personal Finance (basic and advanced)
  • Motivation, Time Management and Organization
  • Self-Advocacy (focus: harassment at work and salary negotiation)
  • Effective Communication
  • Leadership
  • Marketing Yourself (focus: resumes, cover letters, and networking)
  • Post-Secondary Pathways

 

For more information about Youth @ Work or to become involved in the program, contact Youth Program Coordinator Melissa Nelson at mnelson@vtworksforwomen.org.