FLINT, Michigan — Beginning in April, the Summer Youth Initiative, SYI, is offering high school students across Flint and Genesee County an opportunity to interview for jobs and gain employment. To qualify for a spot at SYI’s annual career fair, students will need to complete TeenQuest’s pre-employment training and leadership program which begins its final qualifying session of the school year the last week of February.
“Last year, nearly 200 students gained valuable work experience, built their professional network, and earned a paycheck through SYI,” said James Avery, director of talent development at Flint & Genesee Education & Talent, a division of Flint & Genesee Group. “In each case, their journey started with TeenQuest, where they learned how to stand out to employers, not just in the interview process but also on the job.”
TeenQuest, says Avery, offers students the opportunity to develop the necessary skills and qualities to secure and keep employment. Promoting soft critical skills like conflict resolution, communication, and goal setting is gained through hands-on engagement and learning how to write resumes and prepare for interviews.
Going forward, TeenQuest will be held Feb. 22 to March 24, Mondays through Thursdays, at the following locations and times:
- Carman-Ainsworth High School: 2:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
- Kearsley High School: 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Grand Blanc High School: 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- New Standard Academy: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Swartz Creek High School: 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
With Kearsley High School as the sole exception, students do not need to attend the host schools to be a part of TeenQuest as it is offered to all high school students, whether public, private, charter, alternative, or homeschooled, between ages 14-19 and in grades 9-12.
A virtual session will also be offered from 4-6 p.m.
“We realize student schedules have been once again significantly impacted by COVID-19,” Avery said. “That’s why we’re offering this virtual session. It’s open to anyone who may have missed out on the program earlier this year or is unable to attend our upcoming session in person.”
To learn more about TeenQuest, or to enroll in the program, visit: flintandgenesee.org/teenquest.
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