The Apprentice
Junior Staff Program Gives Club Teen Opportunity to Excel

Think back to a time when you were a teen and an adult authority figure, such as a principal or coach, spoke these dreaded words: “I need to see you in my office.”

Your first thought was, “What did I do wrong?” This was followed quickly by, “What did I do that they found out about?” Well, in the case of one California teenager summoned by her teen program director, her response was, “Wow! Who, me? Are you kidding? When do
I start?”

Almendra Camero, a 17-year-old Junior Staffer at the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Ana, Calif., and a high school college preparatory senior, had just been chosen for a very special honor: representing her Club in the inaugural Boys & Girls Clubs of America/AT&T Junior Staff Apprenticeship program, which took place last summer.

“At first, I was in disbelief,” says Almendra, one of 11 Club teens selected to participate in this new initiative. “But then I became so excited.”

Developing Talent

Almendra received this opportunity because of her participation in Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Junior Staff program. In 2006, AT&T partnered with BGCA
to sponsor this comprehensive, small-group program, which assists Club members ages 13-18 in exploring a career in youth or human services, particularly Boys & Girls Club work.

Junior Staff helps teens not only prepare for career success, but also develop a strong sense of civic responsibility and a lifelong commitment to serving others. The program provides teen members with age-appropriate, skill-building opportunities and hands-on work experience in four areas: career development, customer service, community service and apprenticeship.

On-the-Job Training

Today’s teens are totally wired and connected 24/7 through instant messaging, texting and the Internet, but they are not necessarily aware of career opportunities in these areas. That’s why AT&T and BGCA teamed up to launch an exciting summer apprenticeship program with Junior Staff teens in select markets. The apprentices learned all about AT&T’s wireless technology offerings and customer service.

The program began in May with a self-paced, online training that oriented the teens to the world of wireless sales. By August, the apprentices were confident and savvy enough to help launch the newly released AT&T iPhone 3G. They spent 20 hours each week job shadowing AT&T staff, learning about the wide range of store products and assisting customers.
“Almendra is very energetic, fun, detailed, mature and responsible,” says Bryan Vergel, manager of AT&T’s Santa Ana store. “She knocked out her entire online training on the first day she reported to work.”

The apprenticeships provided Club teens with a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience in the workplace. “I wasn’t really into technology, but the AT&T apprenticeship gave me a chance to learn,” says Almendra. “AT&T has so many devices. I had to discover everything about them and all their features quickly, in order to show them to customers. That was challenging.”

“The most impactful component of the Junior Staff program is how real it is, with respect to on-the-job training,” says Robert Santana, chief professional officer for the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Ana. “It gives teens like Almendra an opportunity to learn firsthand what will be expected of them when they join the workforce. Through the AT&T/Junior Staff apprenticeship, Almendra has earned credibility and gained real-life experience working with professionals.”

Beyond the Workforce

Almendra was chosen to be an apprentice based on her success as a Junior Staffer, including the community service aspect of the program.

“Compared to other cities throughout the county, Santa Ana is low-income, consisting largely of immigrant and Hispanic families. Contrary to what one might expect in a community such as this, we empower Club members like Almendra to give back,” says CPO Santana. “Due largely to Almendra’s leadership, Club members raised and donated just over $5,000 through corporately matched funds.” As a result, two area high school students in need were provided with college scholarships.

In addition, she and other Junior Staff Club teens organized a raffle with a motorcycle as the prize, raising funds for a Thanksgiving dinner for underprivileged families. “It’s pretty awesome helping out the community,” says Almendra with pride.

Cultivating Tomorrow’s Professionals Today

More than 1,600 Clubs have Junior Staff members. In addition to a keen understanding of Boys & Girls Clubs and what it takes to be a Club professional, Junior Staffers learn about leadership and customer service skills, as well as the importance of developing a strong work ethic and sense of community responsibility. Most important, teens learn how they can have a positive impact on another young person’s life.

The Junior Staff program can play a critical role in sustaining the culture and ongoing work of Boys & Girls Clubs by cultivating promising youth to lead Clubs into the future. Whether or not Club members choose to make Boys & Girls Clubs their life’s work, however, the Junior Staff program gives Club teens a competitive edge today for future employment, which is crucial to their ultimate success.

For more information about the Junior Staff program, please contact Brazellia Baker, senior director, teen services for BGCA, at (404) 487-5876 or bbaker@bgca.org.

In 2009, Junior Staffers will have opportunities to take on key roles at Boys & Girls Clubs in such areas as leadership development, community service project planning, program staff assistance and mentoring younger members. Fourteen teens will be chosen to participate in AT&T summer apprenticeships.