Pasadena Chamber and Pasadena Unified Partner to Help High School Seniors Gain Real World Experience

46 Pasadena Unified School District high school students plan to spend their summer interning in the culinary arts, law & public service and health sectors. These upcoming seniors are eager to explore careers of interest while applying their skills to the workplace. Working with the College and Career Pathways office at PUSD, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce is finding internship opportunities and placing students with employers this summer.

Students will be required to serve a minimum of 60 hours of internship between June 8, 2015, and August 14, 2015. The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with the Pasadena Unified School District, Ideal Youth, the City of Pasadena and our membership to find intern placements.

The Chamber’s Workforce Development Coordinator, Amy Foell, is working to find placements for students in the Health Careers Academy, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Academy, both at Blair High School, and the Law and Public Service Academy at Pasadena High School. Interested businesses may contact Amy@pasadena-chamber.org or call Ms. Foell at (626) 795-3355.

“Job shadowing and mentorship provides context for students,” said Ms. Foell. “The work experience helps students be better informed and more able to connect the internship to future career goals.”
Students in the program plan to either enter the workforce upon graduation or allow the internship to help shape their college experience and future plans.

Students being placed by the Chamber, as well as those working with Ideal Youth, will have extensive training in appropriate workplace dress and behavior, punctuality, financial management and business ethics. Ms. Foell will place the students, oversee their training, monitor their summer experiences and evaluate the success of the summer internships.

High school interns are also required to attend weekly seminars pertaining to time management, professionalism and workplace behavior and ethics. In order to complete the internship program successfully all students must give a final presentation about their experience and receive a letter of recommendation from their supervisor. The summer hours accrued will go towards student learning hours mandatory for graduation.

Businesses and organizations are currently needed to provide internship placements in the restaurant and hospitality industry, healthcare, legal professions and law enforcement.

Benefits for participating companies are: no cost, short-term support, an introduction to motivated youth for your hiring pipeline, assistance with technology and innovative ideas plus the satisfaction of adding value to the Pasadena community.

All student interns have work permits, liability and worker’s compensation insurance provided through the school district.

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association is a professional business organization. Since the earliest days of Pasadena, the Chamber has played a major role in the development of this internationally renowned city. Since 1888, when the organization was founded as the Board of Trade, the Chamber’s primary purpose has been the enhancement of both the business climate and the quality of life in Pasadena. The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce serves more than 1400 members.