Celebrating the Youth of the Year

My journey at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County started almost three years ago. I was introduced to the club through my older sister who spent her last summer of high school participating in their Career Launch Program. I’ve always looked up to my sister in every way possible and wanted to be just like her. I was just a little sister who idolized her big sister and I decided to follow in her footsteps. When I turned fifteen, it was my turn, and I became a Club Kid. Little did I know that this decision would open a world of opportunities, shaping my character, improving my skills, and providing me with invaluable experiences.

My plan to receive training and possibly get a job over the summer became a reality, but the Club’s Career Launch Program was more than just a summer internship. The Summer Jobs Program is designed to help young individuals explore various career paths and prepare for the workforce. Over the course of ten weeks, I immersed myself in this comprehensive training program that not only introduced me to the world of employment, but also equipped me with essential life skills.

One of the fundamental skills I gained during this program was selfawareness. During training, I learned to identify my strengths and weaknesses, aspirations, and areas for improvement. By doing so, I have been able to build my confidence and better communicate my thoughts and ideas. In addition, I have become more mindful of my

actions, which has allowed me to make more informed decisions. This newfound selfawareness laid the foundation for effective communication in a professional setting.

Stressing the importance of punctuality and professionalism, the Career Launch classes provided practical tools for completing job applications, resumes, and interviews. Although I initially felt embarrassed doing the practice interview sessions in front of my entire class, that experience turned out to be a significant turning point for me. It taught me how to overcome interview anxiety and helped me perform better during my actual interview. Through the process of being in a new setting, I discovered things that interested me. I joined sports in my sophomore year of high school—the first in my family to do so. To my surprise, trying new things wasn’t as scary as I had initially thought, and my newfound independence taught me to get out of my comfort zone.

When the interview time arrived, I found myself exceptionally well-prepared, performing strongly enough to earn a callback for a second interview. A few days later, I received the news that I had secured the internship. During the week of training, I became CPR and first aid certified, and when they revealed the internship placements, I was excited to discover that I would be working at KGET TV-17 news.

Excited as I was, even the Career Launch classes did not fully prepare me for the chaos of the newsroom. However, through the chaos I had the opportunity to work alongside some incredibly talented and passionate individuals at KGET. I gained firsthand experience in all aspects of news production, from setting up cameras and conducting interviews to filming

stand-ups and editing packages. Each day brought unique challenges and unexpected adventures, from covering local events like the Fourth of July parade to reporting live at an active wildfire.

During my internship, Fridays were dedicated to professional training sessions at the Club. These sessions covered essential topics such as financial literacy, dining etiquette, and Food Handler certification. This training not only expanded my knowledge and skills for my current internship, but also equipped me for the future.

My internship concluded with our graduation, where I had the opportunity to deliver a speech reflecting on my experience with the Summer Jobs Program. If you had asked me to speak in front of a large audience just a year ago, I would have declined. However, thanks to my training with the Career Launch Program, I felt confident enough to share my story. My focus at school has been shifted to sports and student leadership. I became more involved in Associated Student Body and was elected class president my sophomore and junior year. I discovered my own strengths, new skills, and untapped interests, which have taught me to be independent and confident in my capabilities.

I am grateful to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County, not only for providing me with a summer job, but also

offering a platform for both personal and professional development. The program taught me valuable lessons in responsibility, introduced me to diverse career paths, and equipped me with practical skills.

As I continue to grow and learn, I am always seeking opportunities to make a positive impact, whether it’s through volunteering, advocating for important causes, or simply being kind and supportive to those around me. As I express gratitude for the opportunities, connections, and memories gained through this program, I look forward to applying the lessons learned while I pursue a degree in marketing. Being a successful marketer will allow me to lead and promote programs that will continue to provide resources for Club kids in my community. I am incredibly proud and honored to be named the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County 2024 Youth of the Year. Thank you for this honor, and I look forward to the meaningful impact we will continue to create together.