What’s the future? High school students find many options
Case Studies
Futures and Options' is working to expand employment opportunities for NYC students from diverse backgrounds and historically underrepresented communities.
Student Navjot Dhillon was interested in a career in healthcare. But she wasn’t fully aware of the various career paths until a school guidance counsellor introduced her to Futures and Options.
Navjot, from Queens, attended a program run for high school students by the nonprofit organization in New York City, where she heard an attending physician talk about his experiences with patients.
“It was eye-opening because I didn’t really know there were so many aspects of the medical field,” she said. “It was the first time I had an insight into what the career really was.”
Futures and Options’ mission is to expand opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and historically underrepresented communities, collaborating with employers to empower students to gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed in future careers.
It does that through a range of programs, including internships, career development workshops, industry-specific opportunities for students to explore their passions, and many forms of alumni engagement. Futures and Options partners with large and small businesses, other nonprofits, and schools.
It was chosen by the Global Business Coalition for Education to take part in the 2025 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator. With employers across all sectors in the United States struggling to find young talent with the expertise they need, the Accelerator is part of a nationwide drive to ensure that by 2030 all young Americans will have the skills needed to find work in a rapidly-changing job market.
The Accelerator equips nonprofits with the tools and support they need to make a real difference in the lives of young people from underserved communities.
During 2024, Futures and Options reached more than 2,850 students in 164 schools
Futures and Options believes that being part of the Accelerator will help its plans for growth – including expanding school partnerships and internships in high-growth sectors such as healthcare, technology, and financial services.
Executive Director Carolyn Silver said: “We’re joining the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator to better equip NYC’s young talent with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in our city’s dynamic workforce.”
She added: “We want to share resources, learning ideas, and best practices with other youth empowerment organizations across the nation. We believe their experiences could provide a fresh perspective on our work. We are also excited to meet employers and corporations from other parts of the country with employers who are interested in getting involved in our work.”
Futures and Options was founded in 1995 and has served more than 17,000 New York City youth and partnered with more than 500 businesses and 200 schools.
During 2024, the organization reached more than 2,850 students in 164 schools through career-readiness workshops, paid and mentored internships, career exploration activities, community outreach, and alumni engagement support. It also engaged 432 volunteers who shared their professional experience and skills.
It achieved these results through a series of programs:
- Internship Program. High school students gain hands-on experience working for New York City’s leading corporations, thriving small businesses, and dynamic nonprofits.
- Urban Leadership Fellows Program. A six-week paid internship program that trains high school seniors in the municipal finance industry.
- Career Development and Exploration. High school students sharpen a wide range of professional skills in peer cohorts.
- Alumni Engagement Program. Providing ongoing support, as alumni navigate applying to college and preparing for future careers.
We want to share resources, learning ideas, and best practices with other youth empowerment organizations across the nation.
Carolyn Silver, Executive Director of Futures and Options
Using this web of support, Futures and Options prepare students to be competitive in the 21st-century job market, equipping them with the critical thinking, collaboration, and interpersonal skills necessary for success.
Of the students who participated in the programs:
- 98% enrolled in college
- 49% were the first in their family to attend college
- 25% were born outside the US
- 37% speak English as a second language
- 61% are female
Navjot received helpful coaching and mentorship during the career essentials program that helped her improve her communication skills. She explained: “For our project, I learned to speak louder, look at the audience, and actually make eye contact. That’s something I’ve never been able to do before, so I think I really improved my public speaking.”
These communications skills were especially useful when she interned at the city’s Hospital for Special Surgery through the Internship Program. Navjot is embarking on a degree in business administration and hopes eventually to join a major company as an investment banking analyst, systems analyst, credit analyst, or supply chain analyst.
Futures and Options and the other organizations in the 2025 Accelerator will join the alumni network of 28 previous participants which collectively have positively impacted more than 250,000 young people. When they complete the program, nonprofits and their leaders stay in the growing network – helping them to work with others and get peer support.
Businesses that support the Accelerator have opportunities to enhance brand recognition and strengthen community ties. They can also provide pro-bono products and services to support participating organizations.
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