Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L-PHL) gives young people ages 12-24 a chance to get paid while they learn. This summer, C2L-PHL also worked with the Bank of America Student Leaders® program. Five interns helped behind the scenes to make C2L-PHL a success.
While the interns want different future jobs, they all want the same thing now—to get real work experience. Barakey, an incoming freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, said, “I applied for the Bank of America internship because it offered a significant opportunity to experience real world work before starting college. I was also drawn to the chance to work at a nonprofit in my own community.”
Caring about the Philadelphia community has helped the interns succeed. Hana, a rising senior at Masterman School, said, “the rest of the Bank of America interns [and I] helped change the C2L application by making it more user-friendly.” Working at C2L-PHL meant they had to think about what other people needed in the application process
The interns didn’t just learn about working in an office. They also learned about building their careers. Alejandro, a rising senior at Friend’s Central School, said, “I learned how important networking is to create long lasting connections that will benefit my future. I gained valuable connections that I can use for a lifetime in the business world and outside.”
This internship was more than just something to do over the summer. The Bank of America Student Leaders® gained real experience helping their community, and it shaped how they see their futures. Isabella, an incoming senior at Carver High School, said, “it’s made me more interested in mission-driven work. Whether I go into finance or tech, I want to stay connected to projects that create real social value.”
The eight-week internship went by fast. Looking back on it, Ridham, a rising senior at Camden County Technical School, said, “From day one, the people were amazing, friendly, supportive, and welcoming, which made every day enjoyable. I learned important skills like time management, staying organized, paying attention to detail, and how teamwork makes a big difference.”
One thing is clear: these young leaders have bright futures. The JEVS C2L-PHL team is proud of them and excited to see what they do next.
Posted in Blog C2L-PHL Youth & Young Adult Services