Reimagining Summer Jobs as Career Pathways
On April 28, 2025, the City of Boston’s Worker Empowerment Cabinet co-hosted the Spring 2025 Learning Lab Convening with Northeastern University and Roxbury Community College, gathering over 60 youth employment leaders. Participants engaged in discussions on transforming summer youth jobs into career-aligned experiences. The panel featured representatives from various programs, including Future Chefs and Mass General Brigham, who emphasized mentorship and skill-building in their models. Common themes emerged, such as the importance of clear progression pathways and real-world exposure to different professions. Attendees explored actionable strategies to integrate these elements into their organizations.
The event highlighted the potential of summer jobs to provide more than just a paycheck by fostering career readiness and professional growth. By enhancing youth employment programs, Boston aims to create lasting impacts on the workforce development landscape. This initiative directly addresses the need for intentional career pathways for young people entering the job market.