Summer's almost here, and San Francisco's young people are looking for work.
For the third consecutive year, and at no cost to departments, UCSF can help a young person by providing a summer work experience. The Community Partnerships Economic Development Initiative is again working with the Mayor's Youth Education and Employment Program (MYEEP) to give 20 youths from economically disadvantaged San Francisco neighborhoods meaningful summer employment.
Youths range in age from 15 to 18, and typically have had some previous work experience in nonprofit or other organizations.
MYEEP provides subsidized employment for teens. This means that participating UCSF departments do not have to contribute to the wage for a summer youth worker. Young people work up to 20 hours a week and participate in career development activities with their home organizations. This year, the University is working with four organizations, the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, Young Community Developers, Horizons Unlimited and the Visitacion Valley Beacon, to identify the 20 teens.
UCSF managers and supervisors will have a chance to interview the young people before making a selection. Other departmental requirements include: identifying a supervisor to work with the youth, providing a job description outlining job tasks and what the student will learn while with the department, and attending a brief work site orientation meeting. Supervisors working with youths must be fingerprinted in accordance with state and federal law.
A goal for this summer's program is to help youths learn about the wide range of career options available at UCSF.
"Many teens only know UCSF as a hospital or school. They don't readily think of the full range of career options available to them at an institution like this," said Lisa Gray, a coordinator for UCSF's Community Partnerships Economic Development Initiative.
"We want young people to see that they can come and work here and build careers in the sciences, food service, child development, fitness and a host of other areas."
In past summers, youths have worked in administrative and clerical jobs. This summer is a chance to have youths work not only in these types of jobs, but in areas of the University that allow for exposure to career exploration opportunities.
This year, youths begin their assignments on July 1, 2006. The interviewing and selection process with departments will begin the second week of June.
Those able to provide a summer work experience for a teen, or who have questions about the program should contact Lisa Gray at 415/476-3206 or Cynthia Brown at 415/476-4486. Only youths currently enrolled in MYEEP are eligible for this program.
For more details, see the
summer youth program webpage here.
