Career Development

The goal of UFC’s career development services is to help current program youth and alumni obtain and maintain employment, increase their income over time and develop a desirable career path.

This involves helping Pathways residents and alumni access jobs and internships, helping College Readiness and College Sponsorship students get summer jobs, and supporting College Sponsorship graduates in their post college career development plans.

Career Training & Development

UFC's Career Development team works directly with each youth participant to assess their specific needs and develops an individualized plan to help them be successful. Staff also assist youth with developing their resume, completing job applications, purchasing appropriate career clothing and searching for jobs.

Workshops

Collaboration with community partners allows UFC to provide specialty workshops and other career focused activities. Pathways "Dress to Impress" workshop is just a sampling of the kind of career workshop youth are exposed to. Facilitated through Clothes the Deal, one of our non-profit community partners, the workshop is designed to help educate and enhance youths' self-esteem and professional image for employment.

Career Exploration

UFC’s Career Development Department provides job shadowing and career exploration activities to our College Readiness students. Engaging volunteers from the corporate and professional communities is critical to helping to increase the exposure of career opportunities to our students. Students have learned about art and design careers at the Art Center College of Design, careers in the healthcare industry at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, careers in the entertainment industry at Warner Bros.,  and have participated in an exploration of criminal justice with the CSI Experience at the California Science Center.

Internships

Paid internships provide the youth in our Pathways, College Readiness and College Sponsorship Programs with valuable hands-on work experience and offer youth an excellent introduction into the workforce. Summer internships also allow our Sponsorship Students to explore post graduate career options. The value of the program extends to employers who can benefit from the enthusiasm and dedication of our skilled youth while assisting them on the road to gainful employment.

Community & Corporate Partnerships

Key partnerships with corporations and community organizations help youth in our Pathways Program secure and maintain employment. By partnering with companies that offer employment and training opportunities to our youth and alumni we hope to assist youth in gaining access to positions that offer higher wages and opportunities for professional growth. Relationships with local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and workforce resource centers have benefitted the youth tremendously by providing links to internships as well as opportunities for networking and job interviews.

alumni career dinners

Quarterly gatherings for Pathways Alumni offer an opportunity to connect with peers and program staff, while learning important job search and retention techniques. A  panel of professionals participating in the dinners offer a glimpse into various careers as they discuss a variety of career-focused topics and share their individual professional journeys.  The dinners also provide networking opportunities for the alumni and a place for them to participate in discussions about the workforce.

For more information about partnering with UFC and providing job, internship and networking opportunities to our youth, please contact Carla Palmer.