Seventeen Baltimore City youths completed the campus’ Youth Works/HIRE One Summer Jobs program, where they learned skills to help them compete and succeed in today’s workforce.

Youth Works/HIRE One is one of several UMB summer youth employment opportunities offered to Baltimore residents in partnership the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development. The program is based on job requests from several departments and offices on campus. Students between the ages of 16 to 21 are selected, interviewed, and put on UMB’s payroll.

In the five-week program, which began June 25, some students learned new skills while others expanded their job experience by working in a number of administrative roles in departments throughout the UMB campus. The positions included but were not limited to working as a camp counselor for the new Summer U program at URecFit, in the Office of the President, and in the dean’s offices at the schools of medicine, nursing, and dentistry. The Office of Public Safety, Department of Epidemiology, and the offices of Accountability and Compliance and Human Resource Services are regular participants of the program.

Students not only receive hands-on experience, but they also are paired with a mentor, a UMB employee who volunteers their time and expertise to give the student an opportunity to discuss their area of interest and become familiar with the campus. Another component of HIRE One is to present information that can be beneficial to a high school or college student. Cherita Adams, career development manager, Human Resource Services, presented on résumé writing and effective interviewing skills. Patricia Scott, assistant vice president of enrollment administration, presented information regarding college loans, grants, and scholarships. Jullyenne Antues, community outreach specialist from SECU, presented financial management information, discussing the differences between a credit union and a commercial bank.

The program concluded July 27 with a ceremony for students, mentors, and supervisors. Some students can be invited to continue to work after the program if the office or department has additional work and funding. This year, four students earned that distinction.

If you are interested in providing an opportunity for Baltimore youths via Youth Works/HIRE One for the summer of 2019, or if you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Camille Givens-Patterson at Camille.GPatterson@umaryland.edu or Kim Mathis at kmathis@umaryland.edu . It might be the fastest five weeks ever, but it could give a student a valuable opportunity — a summer job at UMB.