The City of Statesboro's "Statesboro Youth Connect" students are in the final days of their program; just before their graduation ceremony commences on June 30th.
The “Statesboro Youth Connect” is a 5-week summer program for high school students interested in gaining valuable workplace experience.
*Grice Connect is doing a three-part series on the Statesboro Youth Connect program (featuring some of the students and their final SYC graduation).
We interviewed a few students to get their highlights from the program and their summer work experience. This is part 2-of-3 of our three-part series.
To read about the SYC students from Part 1 of the series (or to learn more about the SYC summer program), CLICK HERE.
Here are the second group of students and some of the highlights from their work experience
Alan Beasley
Age: 16 years old
School: Statesboro Steam Academy
Interested Future Occupation: Music Producer or Finance Industry
Statesboro Youth Connect Job: The Lodge at Bethany
“What I have enjoyed most about the Statesboro Youth Connect Program is meeting new people on the job and examining how they accomplish their daily task-lists. I also enjoy spending time with our elderly population here; especially Ms. Penny and Ms. Joy—they are fun to play games with. Patience is the most important skill that I’ve learned while working here. Patience is something that I used to lack, so I am happy that I have gained more of it here. I certainly recommend this program to my peers. It can help with expanding their mindsets on the real world of jobs and careers.”
Alijah Wright
Age: 17 years old
School: Effingham County High School
Interested Future Occupation: Pre-Med
Statesboro Youth Connect Job: The City of Statesboro City Gym
“What I have enjoyed most about the Statesboro Youth Connect Program is being in a new setting and learning to communicate with different people. I enjoy helping the firefighters with their physical training and guiding them through exercises. Communication and responsibility are the most skills that I’ve learned since working here. Keeping track of important documentation and respecting every person who enters the gym have also been important skills learned as well. I recommend this program to my peers because it will help them gain new experiences, and encourage them to put themselves out there.”
Sania Talley-Bethea
Age: 15 years old
School: Statesboro High School
Interested Future Occupation: Pre-Law or Pre-Med
Statesboro Youth Connect Job: Bulloch County Public Defender Office
“What I have enjoyed most about the Statesboro Youth Connect Program is finding companionship and camaraderie among so many like-minded students who share similar career interests. Working with Laylah has been a great highlight as well. Laylah shows us how to do our jobs more efficiently, and communication is the most important skill that I’ve learned on the job. I recommend this program to my peers because it will give you a first-hand look into the industry that you are interested in.”
Ja’Kori Cope
Age: 15 years old
School: Statesboro High School
Interested Future Occupation: Engineering
Statesboro Youth Connect Job: Grice Connect
“What I have enjoyed most about the Statesboro Youth Connect Program is how awesome the entire experience has been for me. From Day 1, I jumped into multiple high-level meetings with Mr. Dewayne. But we also had fun on the job as well (like when I drove Mr. Dewayne to the Wild Georgia Safari Park). Communication is the most important skill that I've learned while working this job. I recommend this program to my peers because it puts you in a different environment and promotes your personal and professional growth.”
For more information on the Statesboro Youth Connect program, visit https://www.statesboroga.gov/youthconnect, or contact Dr. LaSara Mitchell at [email protected].
