Chandler poses at the Martin Marietta Performing Arts Center

Chandler Porter, 2023 Raleigh Summer Youth Employment program participant

Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program Celebrates 40 Years

Over 200 teenagers participated in this program in 2023.

This news article is more than a year old.

Chandler Porter believes his path forward has become much clearer, thanks to the Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program.

“It’s been an amazing experience,” said Porter.  “I’ve been able to get an in-depth view into what I want to do when I get older. And being here every day, they’ve given me a great idea of what to expect and not expect out in the work world.”

Porter, who is 16 and a rising senior at Enloe Magnet High School, is interested in a marketing career. Through the City of Raleigh’s program, he spent the summer working at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. He’s helped design and produce newsletters, as well as work on social media campaigns.

Ashley sits at her computer

Ashley McKenzie, 2023 Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program participant

At the Raleigh Convention Center, Garner High School senior Ashley McKenzie, is also sharpening her marketing skills.  

The 17-year-old has used her graphic design talents to create PowerPoint presentations to pitch potential clients.

“I just love how this program is so beneficial. There’s so much to learn and I like that they let me work on actual projects that I can put on my resume,” said McKenzie.

40 Years of Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program

Rebekah Dixon is the program manager for the Raleigh Summer Youth Employment program

Rebekah Dixon, Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program manager

The Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program started in 1983 and has continued to grow throughout the decades, with 200 teenagers participating this year.

Program Manager, Rebekah Dixon, says the goal is to give Raleigh teenagers real-life work experiences and expose them to a variety of professions they might not have known about without this program.

In addition to the work experience, the teens attend workshops on financial literacy, get help putting together resumes, and practice writing cover letters.

Dixon considers this an investment in our community.

“These young men and women really are our future,” Dixon points out.  “What we are doing is putting them in a position to succeed so they can make a positive contribution to our community. And who knows, if we’re lucky, maybe one day they’ll come back and work for the city they love.”

 

Contact

 

Rebekah A. Dixon, M.Ed
Youth Employment Program Manager
rebekah.dixon@raleighnc.gov
919-996-5722

Lead Department:
Housing and Neighborhoods
Service Categories:
Neighborhood Enrichment

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