Pictured: Meredith Butulis, 26 West Center Instructor Coach, introduces the concept of a personal elevator pitch to students at The Power of YOU Workshop on May 30, 2023 at the 26 West Center. Photo courtesy of SCF.

This week, 78 middle and high school students from 28 Bradenton-Sarasota schools will graduate from The Power of YOU, a partnership between the 26 West Entrepreneurship Center and CareerSource Suncoast. The four-part job skills training and summer internship program is designed to prepare the future generation of our workforce in the Bradenton-Sarasota area.

The program began on May 30, 2023 with an interactive workshop taught by instructor coaches at the 26 West Center covering the following: How to create your elevator pitch, how to create an effective resume, interviewing skills and business etiquette and what is a personal brand? The students learned in three cohorts taught by:Kim Richmond, Director, 26 West Entrepreneurship Center, and instructor coaches, Danielle Roberts and Dr. Meredith Butulis.

Eighteen local employers participated in the program's career fair on June 1st at which students were interviewed and hired for their six-week internship. Throughout the internship, participants completed a reflective assignment every week via the SCF online learning management system. (This means that the students were able to experience a taste of college in every way.) The students received feedback from their 26 West Instructor Coach to ensure that they knew they weren’t alone on their career journey and to reflect on their experiences.

Dermontral Hugine, a 15 year-old student at Lincoln Memorial Middle School, chose to do his internship at The Railroad Museum as a custodian. "I must say it wasn't what I expected at all on the first day," he said. "It's far out in the middle of nowhere, so that alone made me a little nervous, but my supervisor greeted me and made sure to let me know I was in good hands.” Hugine added that he learned a lot and was proud of himself for accomplishing something this big in his life.

"Nothing is more important than developing our future workforce here in the Bradenton-Sarasota area. This unique experiential learning program gives our local middle and high school students a head start on their careers and helps local companies and organizations identify and grow future talent," said SCF Executive Vice President and Provost Todd G. Fritch.

"Our partnership with the 26 West Center at State College of Florida perfectly complements the CareerSource Suncoast Summer Youth Employment Program. We can offer youth that may not otherwise have access to these skills and experiences an opportunity to learn job skills in the classroom and the workplace," adds Joshua S. Matlock, Chief Executive Officer, CareerSource Suncoast.

The Power of YOU graduation ceremony will take place on Thursday July 27, 2023 at the 26 West Center and will feature two graduate speakers. Joshawna Grooms, 14, who attends Southeast High School, and Micah Hill, 18, a student at Booker High School, who will speak about their experiences in the program.

Pictured: Meredith Butulis, 26 West Center Instructor Coach, introduces the concept of a personal elevator pitch to students at The Power of YOU Workshop on May 30, 2023 at the 26 West Center. Photo courtesy of SCF.