Offering full-time employment, internships or summer jobs to youth is a great way to help our community and young people. But that’s not the only way you can help.

Business people have tremendous credibility to young people interested in employment. Even a small amount of your time can have a big influence in the life of a young person.

Here are several key ways you can support youth employment. Please contact us at info@youthatwork.info if you are interested in any of them, or have ideas of your own!

Mentoring

No matter what you do, your career experience is valuable to a young person just starting out. You can use what you have learned over the years to help teens figure out who they are and want to become.

All you need is time—from a few hours per week to a few hours per month—and an open mind.

For detailed information about mentoring services in our state and how to sign up to be a mentor please visit: www.washingtonmentoring.org.

Job Shadowing

Allowing a young person to “shadow” you at your job is a great way to be a role model. Job shadows can be very structured or informal, lasting all day or for just an hour. Please contact us at info@youthatwork.info if you’re interested in offering a job shadowing experience.

Shop Talks and Career Presentations

Your business or career is a source of valuable information for young people. Talking about what you do or how your company works in front of a group—for example, at your local high school—is a good way to help youth connect what they’re learning with its application in the “real world.” Please contact us at info@youthatwork.info if you are interested in providing a tour of your business for a group of young adults.