Trista worked this summer at the Stony Creek Free Library. She shared "I enjoy having a job very much. I learned how to create a resume with the proper skills and prior experience I have accumulated." Trista plans to be a pediatrician with her own practice.

This summer Tiffany worked at the Rockville Centre - Lakeview EOC. She learned that "when dealing with children I have to remain calm at all times." She hopes to become a forensic scientist.

This summer Telazjhajuan had his first job at Norstar Center Court Homes doing maintenance. He really enjoyed "learning new stuff like fixing screen doors." He is still undecided on what he wants to do for a living.

This summer Alex worked at Ward Lumber, where he "learned how to stock lumber properly". When he graduates college he hopes to work doing something creative.

Abigail worked at St. Mary's Cemetery this summer. Abigail is interested in "art therapy; being a negotiator in a police dept or an occupational therapist. I know that I want to help people in some way and make a difference in their lives." I like working outside and with my hands and I like working hard so I loved that we were busy all of the time. In fact I have been offered a part time job doing maintenance on the weekends beginning that will help me save for college."

Both young women worked at Chateaugay Pre-K program this summer. Morgan hopes to be a "crime scene investigator or political activist" and Desiree wants to "work at a wild sanctuary". Both shared that they learned about patience and working with children with disabilities. They also found seeing the kids "transform and learn" over the summer.

As a high school graduate, Remy was excited to work at Community Action for Wyoming County as an Office Assistant. "When I grow up I would like to work with computer information and data entry for a company within the county I live." "My favorite part of the summer program was the structure offered by my work site, which my disability benefited from. The one thing I learned was the importance of keeping a steady pace and being efficient, while completing my task on time and correctly."

Tionne participated in her first job with Green Teen this summer. "My favorite part of the program is the Mobile Market, it is amazing to give food to people who can't really access it. It is giving back to the community and making change. One thing I learned is making recipes for the mobile market." Tionne would like to pursue a criminal justice career.

Salin has graduated high school, and this was her first job working at a local school. She like "experiencing what the real world is like", and learned "maintenance is really hard work and janitors put a lot of effort into what they do. I am proud I worked behind the scenes." When Salin grows up she hopes to have a career in art or photography.

Juwan experienced the world of music producing this summer -- which is in line with his career goals! My favorite part of this summer was "the apprenticeship at the local radio station, where I learned how to mix vinyl records."

Mallory worked as a nutrition program assistant this summer. This was a great experience because it is in line with her career goal of becoming a Certified Nutritionist or Registered Dietician. She really enjoyed "being able to teach the community about nutrition and physical activity."

Nosa worked this summer at Cornell's Holley Center "alongside all kinds of scientists has taught me to see certain aspects of my life completely different and really made me want to focus on ending world hunger". Nosa is "interested in helping developing counties, such as the country of my birth, South Sudan, tackle global hunger and other humanitarian crises."

John worked at ARC of Monroe County this summer. “Growing up I had to rely on myself. This program helped me to figure out that you really can rely on other people. It gave me the experience to figure out how to get where I want to be. I learned a lot about how to be an adult.” When he graduates he would like to attend RIT and work in graphic design.

After graduating high school, Henry spent his summer working on the Chautauqua Belle, where he learned "customer service, and how steam engines and boilers work." Henry isn't sure what he wants to do yet, but knows he wants to travel and experience new things.

AJ enjoyed his first job at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wyoming County. AJ is home schooled and shared, "It was great to get out of the house and be active this summer. I also enjoyed meeting new people." AJ learned from his supervisor, “She taught me how to be organized and stay on track. I gained work experience that will help me. I really enjoyed a project that had me working with checks. It was a challenge for me." When he grows up AJ would like to join the Marines or be a chef.

New York City operates the largest summer youth program in the country securing $66.2 MM to support 47,126 participants at 8,492 work sites.

"SYEP has helped me get use to a work schedule, getting up every day, and going to work. It also helped me get work experience at Black-Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe doing things I'd expect I would be doing like dish washing and cleaning the cafe. I also did things I didn't expect to do like pull weeds around the cafe, painting projects and washing the outside of the Cafe and the Sweet Shop." Danielle now has a part-time job at the Cafe.

With the goal to work in the medical field as a pediatric therapist, Normandy got the chance to work at Samaritan Medical Center in purchasing. She learned "what it was like to work in a hospital and how to enter data into meditech."

This summer Ijonana worked at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center where she worked in a variety of positions, and learned about "filing and organizing". She also "learned that everything counts, even the little things." Ijonana plans to go into criminal justice.

Yvette had her first job this summer with Green Teen. "My favorite part of the summer program was learning something new everyday. I learned how to make mayo!" Yvette dreams of curing cancer.

This summer Angela had her first job at the Memorial Art Gallery. "My favorite part of the job was I learned more about art and more techniques with clay." “I came in so nervous, but working has prepped me for a year-round job. Working with 4-6 year old kids in class is teaching me to be a better sister.” When Angela grows up she wants to be nurse, but keep art as her hobby.

Chris recently graduated from high school, and had the chance to work at Tioga Opportunities in Owego this summer. There he learned "how to make a great mac & cheese", but also realized that in addition to music, "I really like to cook."

Isaiah worked at the boat launch this summer, and enjoyed the chance to work with other people and experience new environments (he is home schooled). He also "learned that he wants to work in nature and how to come out of his shell."

This summer Danykah worked at Floral Fantasy where she learned, "learned the aspects of how to own your own business and how to market to customers within my community." Her goal is to join the military when she graduates to "fight for our country".

This summer Jerissa worked at Mulberry Senior Center. She learned important life skills, "I learned what it means to be somebody. I learned the meaning of a support system and importance of co-workers, and to have self confidence." After school Jerissa aims to join the Navy as a doctor.

Michellia's first job this summer at Rockville Centre - Lakeview EOC, where she learned "how to work with all different kinds of kids." She aims to become an ultrasound tech.

Devon will be a college freshman in September at SUNY Ulster. He worked at the Senate House State Historic Site. "I gave tours of the site to visitors. I want to be an astrophysicist teacher at Berkeley because I’ve always been fascinated by stars and I love physics. . Always have a job. It’s just more money in your pocket and it keeps you busy and out of trouble. I also learned a lot about networking and forming close professional relationships with people; you never know who knows who."

Dorkim worked this summer with young kids at the Rockville Centre - Lakeview EOC. He shared his favorite part was "teaching the kids about life" and he learned "tolerance". He aims to be a "successful business man" when he grows up.

Danielle worked this summer at Golden Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, as a dietary aide/kitchen aide. She learned "it doesn’t matter how you feel or what is going on with your life, you have to show up to work and do your job. Your own life shouldn’t affect your job." When she grows up she wants to be an FBI agent.

Joe worked this summer at Owego Apalachin Elementary School where he worked in maintenance and learned new cleaning methods." His favorite part was "getting his check, and he is leaning towards becoming a lawyer."

Caleb worked his first job at Cafe Mezzaluna where he learned "how to wait tables, take orders, learned how to cook eggs. How to deal with customers on a daily basis." When he grows up he wants to be a NYS Trooper.

Brandon spent his summer working with Inkwell Graphics learning how to properly install graphics on vehicles. This was in line with his career goal of "working in advertising in NYC or Boston drafting ads".

Shawn worked this summer at Cyber Dark Computing. This was perfect for him because he aims to be a "computer technician because I have always had an obsession with technology and the way it works. My favorite part about SYEP was being able to gain experience building and repairing computers on site."

Keenan worked at his first job this summer at the Boys and Girls Club, Sidney. He learned "how to get along with co-workers because it makes work more enjoyable." He plans to join the military when he graduates.

Shrena's first work experience was at Five Towns Early Learning Center. She learned "Never be afraid to ask questions if I am not sure." When she grows up she would like to be Physician Assistant.