Another Successful Year of Business Mentoring Youth

The 2007 Business Mentoring Youth (BMY) Closing Celebration for participating students and employers was recently held at the School District of Philadelphia.  This reception provided an opportunity for students, mentors, parents and other BMY partners to come together to celebrate their growth and to recognize the value of workplace exposure for young people.

BMY is the region’s leading work-based mentoring program for 10th grade high school students. The program develops the city’s future business and cultural leaders by providing young people with a model for success, connecting them to the business community, and encouraging them to establish personal and professional goals. Participating students receive academic credit towards graduation while they learn valuable work skills. 

This year, more than 100 students from 17 high schools participated in Business Mentoring Youth.  These 10th graders worked with a mentor for two to four hours a week from February to June. Thirty-three of the region’s companies participated in the program. 

The Chamber hosted eight 10th graders from Communications Technology High School in Southwest Philadelphia.  Students were exposed to a variety of professional tasks and responsibilities including creating spreadsheets, answering calls, assembling press kits, and developing a resume.

"The BMY program was a great experience because I learned a lot of new skills and had fun. My mentor was great too, she made me feel like I was a real employee and that was a good feeling," said Himee Nderura, a 10th grade student who interned in the Chamber's communications department.

“BMY offers for both mentor and mentee an opportunity to grow together,” said Michael Castaldo, who works in Programs and Events at the Chamber.  “It affords the mentee the chance to learn useful skills from working professionals while mentors are rewarded with the satisfaction of knowing their participation with these talented and eager students truly does make a difference.”

BMY is part of WorkReady Philadelphia, a comprehensive public-private partnership dedicated to building the region’s workforce.

For more information about employer participation in BMY in 2008,  please visit philamentor.com.