Youth Employment and Opportunity in Detroit
Young Detroiters talk about jobs, opportunity, and hope.
Stephen Henderson talks with Frank McGhee, Unit Director of the Youth Initiatives Project for Neighborhood Service Organization, Reggie Williams, Unit Director of YouthLink, and Elijah Rushing, a student and young working Detroiter, about youth employment and opportunity.
- Training and skills: McGhee and Williams agree that training is important, and that teens must learn skills like resume writing and interviewing. Rushing is one of the students who received training from YouthLink, and graduated from a culinary arts program.
- Obstacles: Williams says that his organization tries to help kids overcome routine obstacles, like getting appropriate clothes for a job interview, or dealing with the public transportation system. McGhee emphasizes the “leadership piece”, that allows young people to build confidence and communicate with employers and community leaders.
- Setting Goals: Rushing says that he has overcome obstacles by putting himself in a “Successful mindset” and building constructive habits. He is working at Farwell Field Recreation Center this summer, and says that he sets daily, weekly, and yearly goals, and that his five-year goal is to open a soul food restaurant.
- Employers’ role: McGhee says that there is still a need for employers, and asks for employers to contact City Connect Detroit at (313) 967-5898. He reminds listeners that there are still opportunities for teens and young people to find summer employment this year.
Click the audio link above to hear the full conversation.
