Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center (BHNC) launched their Fast Access! program, sponsored by Citi, on August 6.
Fast Access! is designed like a “speed-dating” event, in which each youth participant engages in three-minute mock interviews with 20 local employers.
Among other community services, BHNC provides a range of activities for youth to build their leadership and job readiness skills. Staff view the Fast Access! program as an opportunity to strengthen their participants’ interview and networking skills, helping them become more competitive in today’s tough job market.
Fast Access! is offered to BHNC members aged 16-24. In a statement released about the event, Victoria Joseph, Citi Community Relations Officer, observed that “Citi is proud to support the Youth Employment Services Program and BHNC in their effort to prepare young people and build stronger communities … Through this unique program, we can promote an innovative education effort that brings together business, community and education groups to support our local youth.”
Citi provides financial services, including the ubiquitous CitiBank, through Citicorp and Citi Holdings.
Genieve Jaramilla, Entertainment Manager at the SFSU Cesar Chavez Student Center, stated in an email interview that one youth “…literally blew my socks off. She had a presence about her that made me want to hire her on the spot. I also really enjoyed talking with the interviewees after the activity because they were really eager to hear how they did”.
Jaramilla went on to say that most students “were prepared and confident. They were able to show their true personalities in an approachable manner, which a lot of people can't do”.
One youth participant, Merna Leano, 17, was at first worried she would be too nervous to do 20 interviews in one evening. But she found that from the first employer she sat down with, “they were very talkative, and it was fun.” Leano received good reviews and was even approached by employers with business cards and applications. “They liked that I was very outgoing and used good vocabulary!”
Christopher Ramirez was glad he attended. As a last minute fill-in for another student, Ramirez was not sure he was up to interviewing with 20 employers without prior preparation.
But he accepted the slot, because he "felt that it was an opportunity for me to learn and gain experience... so I could be ready for future job interviews". By the end of the event, Ramirez says he ended up "enjoying the ride and making connections with employers that I might work for some day".
For more information about the services provided at BHNC, volunteering, or attending community events such as Film Nights, see their website.
Comments
It was a wonderful experience for me as a participating employer to learn about the leadership, collaboration, and decisiveness the youth have been cultivating with the Youth Program at Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center.
Thank you BHNC and Citi for this terrific event. The energy in the room was palpable - it was a win/win for all involved!
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