When Akeem Brown entered our Workforce Prep Mentoring Program as a 10th-grade student last year, he was beginning to think seriously about his future. He had interests, but like many students his age, he was still figuring out how to turn those interests into a plan.
After completing his first year in our program, Akeem says he has a better understanding of what it will take to prepare for life after high school.
“I feel like I’ve changed because I understand more about what I need to do to prepare myself for what I want to do after high school and when I’m in college,” Akeem said.
During our 10th grade program, students explore careers while developing practical life skills in areas such as communication, study skills, perseverance, managing emotions, budgeting, decision making, and goal setting. For Akeem, those lessons became more than classroom activities.
When he was struggling in his geometry class, his volunteer Career Mentor, Tommy Bell of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago – Detroit, helped him develop a new approach to studying. Instead of trying to absorb everything at once, Tommy encouraged him to focus on one topic for about 20 minutes, take a break, and then return to studying.
“It actually did help,” Akeem said.
But what made the relationship especially meaningful was their connection.
“One thing I liked the most about Tommy was that he was relatable,” Akeem said.
Tommy also encouraged Akeem to build professional connections, meet new people, and understand how networking can create opportunities after high school.
Those conversations are helping Akeem explore where his own future might lead. He is interested in business and real estate and has also considered the skilled trades and engineering. His current job at Chick-fil-A has even sparked an interest in someday owning a franchise.
Working at Chick-fil-A is also giving Akeem an opportunity to put some of the lessons he is learning through our program into practice. He believes one reason the restaurant has built such a strong brand is the way employees treat customers – greeting them, showing respect, holding doors, and making them feel welcome.
That experience has reinforced a simple lesson for Akeem: how we treat other people matters.
“Really, just be nice to everyone,” he said. “You never really know what others are dealing with. Just saying hello to somebody might make their day shine a little more.”
It is a lesson that connects directly with a message emphasized throughout our program: Attitude Is Everything. When asked whether that motto applies to what he is learning on the job, Akeem didn’t hesitate.
“Yes, absolutely,” he said.
As Akeem enters 11th grade and continues in our program, his career exploration will become more focused. He will take a deeper dive into career options, job readiness, continuing education, and planning for life after high school. He will learn about financial aid, college and trade school applications, resumes, interviewing, time management, professional connections, and overcoming obstacles.
Akeem may not know exactly where his path will lead yet. That’s okay. He is learning how to explore his options, make informed decisions, and take meaningful steps forward.
That, he says, is one of the most important things Winning Futures provides for students.
“They might not fully know what they want to do yet, but at least they kind of know, ‘Okay, this might interest me,’” Akeem said. “And it helps them learn what it takes to get there.”
Learn more about our Workforce Prep Mentoring Program and volunteer Career Mentors.