CAREER SHOP DC X DUNBAR HIGH SCHOOL "LEARN & EARN"

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Welcome to Career Shop DCs Youth Program, where we believe in empowering the next generation with the tools they need to navigate the intricate pathways of their future. At Career Shop DC, we recognize that every young mind is unique, and their journey can take various exciting directions. Our Youth Program is more than just an educational initiative; it's a transformative experience meticulously crafted to nurture talents, foster creativity, and instill essential life skills.

1) The Career Shop Dunbar Learn & Earn Program is an innovative, paid career-connected learning initiative delivered in partnership with Dunbar High School and DC Public Schools (DCPS) that integrates real-world career exploration and work-based learning directly into the school day. Students participate in project-based experiences in high-interest career pathways, including Entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence, Sports Management, and Engineering, while working alongside industry mentors and developing essential skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, research, public speaking, and professional responsibility. Students are compensated for their participation, reinforcing the connection between learning, accountability, and employment, and conclude the experience by presenting capstone projects to community leaders and stakeholders. The program is designed to increase student engagement, strengthen employability skills, expose students to viable career pathways, and provide meaningful preparation for paid internships and future employment—allowing students to learn, earn, and build the skills and confidence needed for life beyond high school.

2) Financial Literacy: Financial knowledge is the key to a secure future. Our program goes beyond traditional education, equipping our youth with essential financial literacy skills. From understanding budgeting to making wise investments, we empower them to make informed financial decisions, setting the stage for a stable and prosperous life ahead. In partnership with Industrial Bank, Career Shop DC ensures that our nation's youth are prepared for their economic futures. 

3) The 2026 Career Shop DC Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) provided District youth with an engaging six-week paid summer experience that combined career exploration, hands-on project-based learning, career readiness, and job placement. Participants selected career-focused tracks in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Sports Management, and Career Readiness/Job Placement, allowing them to explore industries aligned with their interests while developing practical workplace skills. Through interactive projects, workshops, mentoring, guest speakers, and real-world career activities, youth strengthened competencies in communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, technology, financial literacy, resume development, interviewing, and professional workplace behavior. The Career Readiness and Job Placement component prepared participants to successfully transition from the summer program into future employment opportunities by helping them identify career pathways, develop professional resumes, practice interviewing, and understand employer expectations. The program's overall goal was to ensure participants did more than earn a summer paycheck—they gained marketable skills, career exposure, professional connections, and the confidence and preparation needed to pursue employment, education, and long-term career opportunities.

4) Case Management: At Career Shop DC, we understand that every journey is unique, and sometimes, challenges can arise. That’s why our dedicated team of case managers provides personalized support. Whether it's academic guidance, emotional support, or career counseling, our case management services ensure that our youth participants receive the individualized attention they need to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Join us at Career Shop DC's Youth Program, where dreams are not just encouraged but cultivated, and where every choice is respected and guided. Here, young minds flourish, creativity thrives, and futures are shaped. Together, let's ignite possibilities, empower dreams, and build a generation of confident, capable, and compassionate leaders.