“When I ‘grow up’ I want to be a mechanic because I like to work on cars, and I want to own my own shop.” – Wayne, 22 I just turned 22 and I am working on my GED. My summer job was working with the Village of Cuba. "I learned how to form sidewalks. My favorite part of the job was working with the guys on all the different projects.”

Check out New York City's massive Summer Youth Program -- serving nearly 36,000 youth at 6,800 work sites. Funding was provided through public and significant private investments

This summer Ashley worked at Handy Up'n'Downs, where she learned more about retail and how to work with customers. "My favorite part of the summer youth program was being able to work to make my own money for my child." When Ashley 'grows up' she wants to be a nurse, because "she loves helping people and hates to see people in pain."

Jonathan worked at Backstreet Music this summer. He learned, "that a music shop is more difficult to run than you would think! There is more behind the scenes than just selling instruments." Jonathan plans to attend college for foreign languages.

Richard worked at Taylor's Mini Mart this summer. "Working at Taylor's is so much fun, there are lots of things to do." Over the summer I learned, "how to run the deli, inventory, warehouse, and the register." I gained "self-esteem and had money to do things for myself." Richard plans to join the Marines after high school.

Young Audiences of Rochester- Artworks was Jacquilyn’s first job. With an interest in a career in graphic design, this experience helped improve her art skills in: drawing, painting, shadowing and exposure to media arts. It also provided activities related to job readiness, entrepreneurial/business and social skills development. She is most proud of the various works of art that the visual arts group created and is looking forward to seeing their work on display and for sale.

"I am currently a sophomore at Erie Community College, and working at the Buffalo Zoo this summer was my first job." I want to work with animals, so my favorite part was "being surrounded by the animals and the atmosphere and attitudes of the people." "I learned how to work with children, more social and people skills, and a lot about the animals." James has taken on an internship at the zoo to extend his experience.

When I 'grow up' “I want to be a lawyer, because I want to help people. This was my first summer job and I worked at Uniondale Union Free School District. Working there helped me "...improve my English. My favorite part was working with Mrs. Morales the Uniondale High School Guidance Registrar.”

Miquella was placed with the Young Audiences of Rochester this summer. The program offered 3 tracks for youth to be placed including: visual arts, photography/video production and music production. The photography/video production crew is where she discovered that she possessed untapped talent for photography. Miquella aims to enrolling in college to become a radiology technician. She has always had an interest in anatomy and she added that Rad-techs earn good money.

The summer program provided Cindy's first job. She worked as an Assistant Grant Writer at the Village of Sidney. “I learned how to write grants and office social skills. I also learned how to manage my money. My favorite part was being able to have my own income and become more independent, and not have to depend on others like my mother.” – Cindy, 16

When I grow up "I see myself in electrical engineering or in neurology. I like building things and I like helping people." My first summer job was at Hilltop Industries this year. I learned "how to solder. I liked working with friends and being able to do good work. ”

When I grow up “I want to work with animals, because I love animals." This was my first summer job, and I worked at Operation Food Chain. "I learned how to work better with a group of people. I loved working with fun people".

This summer Deshann worked at United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau. He really enjoyed working with this population. He learned, "never judge someone because of what they look like or their disability because they are regular people just like you and me." Deshann, 16

My first summer job was at Turtle Hook Middle School. "I learned how to take responsibility, and how to shelve the books at the library.” – Roshael, 16

When I 'grow up' I want to be a “construction worker because I like to work with my hands, and see my progress as time goes on.” My summer job was working at Cassadaga Valley Central School. “I learned how to use a swing machine. I really liked working in a friendly environment with nice people.”

“I liked working with new people, and learned that having a job is hard work and you need to stay focused.” – Clinton, 17 Clinton worked at Cassadaga Valley Central Schools for his first summer job.

Alieus dropped out in 11th grade and has little family support, he is currently attending GED classes. He has taken 1 ½ years of conservation at the local BOCES program. When he grows up he “wants to run heavy machinery.” He landed a summer job this year working with the Town of Carrollton. There he learned “How to run the machines the right way, and how to flag and do road maintenance.”

When I 'grow up' “I would like to be a photographer that captures the essence of fine cuisines from all around the world.” This was my first summer job and I worked at the "Turtle Hook Middle School in the Main Office". I learned “how to make large masses of photocopies. My favorite part was getting to meet new people and experience new things.”

Eric worked at the Suffolk County Department of Public Works, Garage. This was his first work experience. "When I grow up I would like to be an auto mechanic, so I was placed in the garage to get some experience. I liked learning about fixing cars." One thing I learned was "how to be responsible."

“I am undecided on what I want to do when I grow up. I really like doing cakes, but I also want to explore the medical field.” Elimaries worked at Cibo’s Restaurant this summer. “I love working at this business, and the new experiences. I learned how to work the register this summer.”

Ashley is currently leaning toward a career in Nanotechnology, specializing in electrical with a minor in the arts, like graphic design. She will attend Fulton Montgomery Community College this fall. This summer she worked at Galway Public Library. “I really enjoyed working, meeting, and interacting with the visitors at the library.” One thing Ashley noted she learned was the “importance of the library” in the community, and shared this helped her prepare for what future jobs would be like.

This summer Anthony worked at Jain Irrigation, as a Production Assistant - while maintaining a 2nd part-time job. He shared the experience greatly helped his work ethic. Jain shared that Anthony is a hard worker who has great potential to advance due to his knowledge of the company through working in the different departments. He worked as a machine operator, on the production floor, in quality control, and in machine and building maintenance. He has been offered a full time position.

Robert worked at the Five Towns Community Center. "My favorite part of the program is it taught me responsibility. I learned how to keep a clean environment for those around me. I also learned how to used natural cleaning products."

This summer Danielle worked at Turtle Hook Middle School, where she learned how to put away the books in the library. "When I grow up I want to be a therapist because I like to hear how people are feeling and help with their problems."

I was a "student intern at Oneonta School District this summer." "When I grow up I would like to work for a non-profit that develops West Africa." "My favorite part of the summer youth program is the flexibility and the ability to practice the skills I am learning." "I definitely learned time management and independent working skills."

I worked at the WNY Performance Center in Warsaw, NY. "I would love to be an over-the-road sound technician, because I enjoy working with sound equipment, traveling and meeting new people, along with being involved with different types of events." My favorite part of the program was "creating an Open-Mic Night and becoming an active board member for the Center." Matthew will be continuing on as a volunteer post-summer.

This summer I worked at Turtle Hook Middle School, answering the phone and shelving books. This was my first job. "When I grow up I want to be a pediatrician, because I like taking care of children. One thing I learned was how to manage different personalities."

This summer Niki worked Cobleskill College Child Care Center. Based on her experience she has been hired to work part-time in the Center this fall, as she is an enrolling student as well. Her favorite part was "getting to do something that I liked, and I learned a lot about a field I might enjoy working in." Over the summer, "I learned a lot about children, and how they need to be taken care of, and that each age group is different."

Aisha worked at Amsterdam High School this summer; this was her first job. When she 'grows up' she would like to be a nurse. She enjoyed the program, in particular because it kept her away from home during the summer. She shared, "I learned that waking up in the morning is a pain, and that helping out is a good thing towards your future."

Sha-Quan Bailey, 15, left, wants to be a police officer with a special weapons and tactics team. Maurice Thomas, 16, wants to play pro football. "Tyrell Wood, a senior at Poughkeepsie High School, said the experience showed him what it takes to achieve his goals. Wood, who worked as a security guard at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie, said he wants to get his security license so he can make money while attending school" Credit: Spencer Ainsley/Poughkeepsie Journal

Romario worked this summer at United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau. This was his first work experience. His favorite part of the job was "working with the consumers and seeing them smile". He learned "how to treat people with respect."

This summer youth from across Ulster County participated in the Summer Youth Program. Above are youth who participated at Camp Seewackamano.