Youth Gain Valuable Professional Skills Thanks to The Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective

This summer, the Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective sponsored by the Principal® Charity Classic with support from Sammons Financial, ran weekly programming for six weeks in June and July. The program focused on topics like collaboration and communication, professional presence, moral and performance character, growth mindset, managing stress and more. The goal of the program? To introduce young people to professional skills and network with professionals across Greater Des Moines (DSM) to enhance workforce readiness.

2024 Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective

This year’s Career Ready Collective included 94 participants of which 20% were graduates, 19% were seniors, 37% were juniors, 19% were sophomores and 5% were freshmen from across the region. A total of 18 high schools in DSM were represented, with the most students hailing from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines. Programming included 100+ DSM professionals, and there were eight nonprofit programs represented, including Avenue Scholars, iJAG, Pi515, Project Iowa, Trees Forever, Urban Dreams, Y-ExCL (Evelyn K. Davis Center) and YSEP (Oakridge Neighborhood).

Of the Career Ready Collective participants, 20% of participants said the program made them think more about or want to work in the DSM area after high school or college. Additionally, 50% were already considering or want to work in the DSM area following their college education.

Student Experiences

For Wah Wah, a student at Hoover High School, the Career Ready Collective allowed her to speak to professionals within the finance and accounting industries to make sure the path she was interested in was the right field for her. While each session offered impactful advice and learning opportunities, Wah Wah most enjoyed the first session focused on teamwork where they had to build the tallest building possible using just marshmallows and spaghetti, and it was essential for participants to communicate effectively. Along with the teamwork session, the growth mindset session with Vanessa McNeal allowed Wah to get out of her comfort zone and learn to embrace her mistakes.

Being a part of the Career Ready Collective events wasn’t an easy decision for Wah in the beginning, but after going through the entire experience, there are so many changes she wants to make now that she knows more about how to prepare for the work world, including asking more questions and stepping out of her comfort zone by being willing to volunteer.

For other students interested in business, Wah Wah says there’s no better place to network and talk to professionals in the field you’re interested in or find a mentor to help you gain experience.

Arian Kantarevic, a senior at Johnston High School, is planning to do an internship at his brother’s car detailing business, and by attending the Career Ready Collective, he has gained confidence in his skills and abilities to be in a professional setting before he starts working there. The event has also allowed him to spend time networking with professionals in a variety of careers and industries.

Kantarevic gained perspective from speakers like Dr. Dau Jok, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at West Des Moines Community Schools, who set a high bar and offered incredible insight, providing inspiration, motivation and a universal message to chase your dreams despite challenge and difficulty. Dr. Jok’s presentation really helped set the tone for the entire event.

Other students interested in participating in the Career Ready Collective have nothing to lose by attending, according to Kantarevic. It’s a free program, the people are friendly and want to help and through the repetition of skills, students have the chance to become better collaborators and team members.

Several students offered other takeaways from their Career Ready Collective experiences, including the following:

• “My favorite part was getting to listen to the stories and the various ways how people ended up in the professions they’re in.”
• “I learned that communication can help foster a successful team / workplace environment.”
• “My main takeaway is accepting yourself knowing that you can achieve success like anyone else!”

If you want to learn how your business can support the Career Ready Collective, reach out to me to learn more. Learn more about this student opportunity at The Partnership’s website.

Job opportunities and career resources are abundant in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Whether you're looking to find an internship, a job, develop professionally or grow as a student, we have the resources to help you thrive.