Gap and Summer Search partner Up

In an effort to start students’ career exploration journey early, Summer Search students from the San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and North Bay program sites took part in the first ever Gap sponsored Career Discovery Days on August 13-14. During the first day, fifty students gathered for a self-exploration seminar, a career panel, and three job preparedness workshops. Students were able to explore their values, connect personally with professionals, practice making good first impressions, learn about informational interviewing and professional dress and etiquette.

On the second day, over forty-five students from our three Summer Search Bay Area Offices job shadowed professionals at eleven job sites. They saw first-hand what it is like to work in a variety of professional fields such as health care, architecture, technology, marketing, and legal. Later that afternoon, students gathered in small groups to share about their experiences and discuss what they learned over the last two days.

An Enriching Experience

Students left the Career Discovery Days feeling inspired and empowered to dream bigger as they create possibilities for their futures. They began thinking more about career options, college preparation, and continuing their career exploration research. One student said, “I learned a lot about what I value, which is helpful information!” Another said she now understood that, “your dream job is in an environment where you feel happy, have a positive attitude, safe, and where you can be yourself!”

Meanwhile, the generous volunteers who acted as work shadow hosts were clearly impressed by Summer Search students and eager to host more in the future—and bringthis year’s shadowees back as interns and employees! A Gap Foundation staff member summed up the overall feedback when she said, “The students were so impressive: composed, prepared, clearly committed to their futures and doing the work to get where they want to go. They really are an incredible group of young adults.” Another volunteer host reported that at her company, “Many volunteers mentioned that they enjoyed the time so much, they would prefer an even longer session, to spend more time with the students.”

We owe a huge thanks to the Gap Foundation and our work shadow hosts for helping our students learn and understand more about the possibilities that they can work towards!