Author: Cassandra DeMas

Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL) helps young people in Philadelphia get ready for the future—and get paid while doing it! Young people between 12 and 24 years old can join a program to learn about different careers and earn money at the same time. C2L-PHL operates year-round offering 2,000 opportunities during the fall and spring semesters and 8,000 over the summer.

After a great start last summer, the program is still going strong. This spring of 2025, almost 1,000 young people in Philadelphia took part!

Participants joined 18 different programs across the city. These programs were run by schools, community groups, and other partners. They gave students a chance to learn by doing real jobs at over 150 sites. These hands-on experiences helped participants grow and learn all over the city.

In total, students logged 57,265 hours this spring! Almost everyone who signed up finished the program, about 30 people dropped out. That means 97% stayed until the end!

Many students said they learned important money skills, like how to save, make a budget, and spend wisely. Most people said they felt more confident with money after finishing the program.

Almost everyone who joined said they were happy with their experience. Four out of five said they’d love to do it again.

This spring was another big win for C2L-PHL, and there’s more to come! Sign up for the mailing list to stay in the loop.

Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL) offers youth the chance to get paid to learn. All while gaining real-life work experience! Students can apply to programs across the city, including the Niche Clinic. The Niche Clinic focuses on financial literacy education and club activities. Learning about money might not sound exciting, but C2L-PHL students love this program! 

Students had many different reasons for applying to the Niche Clinic program. Cristabelle, a 9th grader at Central High School, applied for the summer session out of curiosity. She came back for the Fall session to “learn new ways about how to handle my money and how to spend money so I can teach my mom.” Niche Clinic students are learning skills for their own financial futures. They also share what they learn with their loved ones. 

Karolyn is a 10th grader at PA Distance Online School. She also came back to the Niche Clinic after the summer session saying “I don’t think there is a limit to how much financial education I can and should get. Plus, I get paid to learn about these things.” 

Getting paid to learn is a pretty sweet deal. Yusuf, a 10th grader at Central High School, has plans for his stipend payment. He is hoping to use his stipend to “buy a PS5 and a game, and put half of the rest in savings, and the other half in an index fund.” These students are impressive. How many 10th graders—or even adults— know what an index fund is, let alone have plans to invest in one? 

The young people at the Niche Clinic are putting in work today to reach their dreams for the future. Courtney, a 10th grader at Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School, is focusing on her career, “I want to be a lawyer or attorney. I have goals of expanding my talking and information skills.” Other students are looking forward to helping their families. Cristabelle said, “My life goals are to help my mom retire and pay off all her debts, and I plan to go to college and have zero student loans. If my brother plans to go to college, I could help him pay off his student loans (if he has any).” 

No matter where the future takes these students, they will have the skills and knowledge to make their money work for them. Are you interested in joining the Niche Clinic or another C2L-PHL program? Do you know a young Philadelphian who would enjoy this kind of program? Join our mailing list to be the first to learn about future opportunities.