This workshop helps youth prepare for the work environment by offering practical ideas for how to get ready for the first day and start off on the right foot. Youth are given tips on how to get to know co-workers and clientele (such as younger children), and will spend time considering how their non-verbal and verbal communication – including body language, tone of voice, and appearance – will set the tone for these relationships. Exercises and activities are provided that help youth define their roles and responsibilities, identify the skills they will need to apply and/or develop, locate the resources available to help them at their work site, and set goals and appropriate expectations for themselves.

Professionalism and time management are two key components for success in the workplace. In this workshop, participants will explore what it means to behave professionally and will have an opportunity to put these skills to practice through fun, interactive games and exercises. Topics will include how to get along with co-workers, positive body language, and effective listening. Using their workplace experiences to date, youth will also discuss strategies for managing their time effectively, such as what factors to consider when planning for an appointment, and will consider how to apply these ideas and concepts in real life. Specific suggestions for how to manage time when working with children will be provided.

This workshop will teach youth to develop a plan for spending and saving the money they are earning. During this training, participants will set personal saving goals and priorities, and learn how to budget their income to meet these goals. In addition, practical information, like how to understand credit and debit cards will be provided. Finally, attendees will explore the benefits of having a bank account, and receive guidance on how to open up a bank account and the different types of accounts that are available.

Learning how to take care of your mental and physical health is an essential part of being a reliable and productive member of a team. During this workshop, participants explore how diet, exercise, stress, smoking, self-esteem, and other health-related factors can affect their ability to function in the workplace and in life. Youth are encouraged to consider ways to improve their own health and set personal health goals. Participants will also examine what factors contribute to a healthy workplace and brainstorm ways to improve their work environment.

Applying to college can be an overwhelming task, especially if you don’t know where to begin. This workshop was designed to provide youth with a basic overview of the college application experience, and resources and tools they can use to help jumpstart this process. Through a series of conversations and activities, participants will consider what type of institution might be most appropriate for their needs and interests, and learn basic terms they should know before applying to college. Trainers will also review commonly asked questions, including information about how to apply for financial aid and the types of financial assistance that are available. Youth will then discuss specific steps they can begin to take, such as preparing for the SATs, and collecting information and materials on colleges.

This workshop provides participants with the opportunity to explore their skills, interests, assets, and goals, and use this information to identify the types of professions they would like to pursue. Youth are introduced to an array of factors, ranging from salary and benefits to the types of people and environments they might prefer, and are encouraged to weigh these factors as they consider different careers. Data on the educational background and requirements for various professions, and information on the fields with the greatest growth and opportunity for employment will be presented. Participants will also receive tips on how to conduct informational interviews, find out how to break into a particular field, and apply for a job.

Creating a strong resume and cover letter are the first steps towards landing a job interview. This workshop will introduce participants to a variety of resume formats and help them choose the one that best fits them. Participants will learn what a cover letter is and how to write one that gets results. Other examples of professional writing, such as thank you notes and business letters, will also be discussed. Best of all, participants will walk away with their own working drafts of a resume and cover letter.

Finding the job you want is a tough task. You won’t get the job you want if you don’t know where to look; and you definitely won’t get the job you want if you can’t pass an interview. This workshop will give you many winning strategies for your future job hunts and interviews. Dealing with nervousness and effective strategies for answering the toughest interview questions are among the topics covered in this workshop, to help you to get the jobs that you want.

Speaking in public is one of the greatest and most common fears people identify when asked! Having the self-confidence to master this fear is an important skill for anyone wanting to develop leadership skills or to increase their self-confidence. Through a series of interactive activities, participants in this workshop will learn basic skills and strategies associated with public speaking, including tactics for managing nervousness, and will have opportunities to practice these skills in a safe and supportive environment.

In this workshop, participants will explore non-violent ways of dealing with conflict. This workshop will help youth explore ways to manage conflict in their own lives, especially when interacting with co-workers and working with children in out-of-school time settings. Through a combination of large and small group discussions, demonstrations and role-plays based on real-life situations, participants will develop an understanding of what conflict is and how to deal with it in a positive and productive manner.

Teens often become role models to the children that they work with without realizing what responsibilities may come with that relationship. This workshop is designed to guide participants through the process of developing a working definition of role model/mentor and to help them understand their potential to serve in these capacities for younger children. A combination of large and small group discussions, role-plays and dynamic activities, will provide an opportunity for participants to explore the impact that role models/mentors have played in their own lives.