My Career Began Because One Employer Said Yes
My career began because one employer said yes.
After graduating from university, I had a general understanding of professionalism and different industries. However, if you had asked me to explain economic development, I probably would have responded with several questions, including, “Is that banking?”
Then someone gave me an entry level opportunity in workforce development.
That one decision introduced me to an industry I did not know existed and placed me on a path that has now included nearly a decade of experience in economic and workforce development.
I began by helping job seekers pursue careers, not simply find jobs. That experience led me into business services, where I learned how to understand employers’ needs and connect them with talent. From there, my career expanded into economic development and the strategic investments that help businesses, workers, and communities grow.
Today, those experiences have brought me back to creating opportunities for employers and students. It has become an “all roads lead to Rome” story.
Without that first yes, I may never have discovered this career. It makes me wonder:
How many Southern California students are still waiting for an employer to say yes to them?
Young people do not lack potential. More often, they lack access to professional environments, trusted mentors, and opportunities to see how their interests can connect to real careers.
Through my work with Tomorrow’s Talent, I have watched students enter professional settings feeling quiet, nervous, or uncertain. After being trusted with meaningful projects and encouraged by industry professionals, those same students begin asking thoughtful questions, presenting their ideas, collaborating with colleagues, and seeing themselves differently.
Sometimes, that transformation begins with just one employer opening one door.
Employers often want to support young people but may not know where to begin. Creating a meaningful opportunity does not require immediately developing a large internship program. It can begin with one hour, one project, or one internship.
One Hour
Share your professional journey, introduce students to your industry, participate in a career panel, conduct mock interviews, host a workplace tour, or provide feedback on student work.
One hour can introduce a young person to a career they never knew existed.
One Project
Partner with a classroom on an authentic business or community challenge. Students could develop a marketing campaign, redesign a welcoming space, analyze data, explore a sustainability challenge, or present recommendations to your team.
One project can help students understand how classroom learning connects to the professional world.
One Internship
Welcome a student into your workplace and allow them to contribute, learn, and build confidence alongside your team. Tomorrow’s Talent can support employers with internship design, student recruitment and preparation, onboarding, communication, and Employer of Record services when needed.
One internship can open the door to an entire career.
What If That Employer Was You?
Think back to the moment when someone opened a door for you.
Who gave you your first opportunity? Who took the time to teach you? Who saw your potential before you could fully see it yourself?
Now imagine what could happen if you became that person for a student.
You can change a young person’s story. You can introduce them to an industry they have never considered. You can help them discover a career they did not know was possible.
Which door could your organization open right now?
Challenge yourself to consider:
1: I can give one hour
2: I can support one project
3: I would consider hosting one intern
In our work, we encounter employers every day who want to say yes to one or more of these but don’t know where to start. Our team knows what it takes to help next-generation talent succeed. Reach out if we can help you.
One yes can create one opportunity. One opportunity can open an entire career.