More than Retail: Teens Learn Job Skills for Life at Old Navy
Applying for your first job can be intimidating. But once you nail that interview and get a call back with an offer, that pretzel-knot in your stomach relaxes into pure joy. Because YOU did it!
But before earning your first paycheck, you first have to figure out, “Where do I want to work?”
Boys & Girls Clubs of America is determined to help young people answer this question, securing valuable internships, apprenticeships and first jobs that lead to a lifetime of career success. In fact, 75% of Club teens have held part-time jobs in the past year, with 40% crediting their Boys & Girls Club for finding the opportunity, often through partners like Old Navy.
For over 20 years, Old Navy has supported teens at Boys & Girls Clubs with gaining work experience. This support includes the This Way ONward program, which offers job training, mentorship and a career path at Old Navy.
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta, two Georgia teens learned far more than folding clothes through their participation in the program. Twelve teens have participated in the program with four of them gaining employment at the local Augusta store.
KaylaFrom engaging in career fairs to job shadowing, Kayla dove headfirst into the world of professionalism, customer service and team leadership. While shy at first, Kayla blossomed at Old Navy, finding her voice and building meaningful connections to keep up with in her early career years. Her advice to other teens working in customer service? “Be confident and passionate while serving others.”
“I’ve been so proud to witness the growth my daughter Kayla has shown over the past two years,” said Kayla’s mother, Destiny.
“She has become increasingly independent, applying her interview and communication skills to secure a job with Old Navy through the Boys & Girls Club. Watching her go through the experience brings back memories of my own first job, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see her develop her character in the process.”
TyrionaThrough her job with Old Navy, Tyriona flexed her adaptability skills in new environments. She also learned to be more patient with herself during on-the-job training, and encourages her fellow working peers to be kind to themselves as well.
“This Way ONward has proven to help our teens learn to lead, gain financial stability and be ready for life after high school,” shared Felipe Blanding, senior director of teen innovation & workforce readiness at Greater Augusta Clubs.
“Our local Old Navy’s staff have even gone a step farther by mentoring youth in our Club’s leadership development programs, like Youth of the Year. Their store manager in particular has helped build so many of our teens’ character and confidence.”
At Boys & Girls Clubs, programs like This Way ONward provide teens with a springboard for mastering how to seek out, secure and thrive in jobs that will support their ongoing career growth and development. Discover how young people are gaining extraordinary hands-on career experiences they can leverage throughout their lives.
Building Life Skills Through Customer Service
As a partner of Boys & Girls Clubs of America for more than 20 years, Old Navy has helped youth work toward and achieve successful and fulfilling futures in whatever occupations they seek. Find a Boys & Girls Club near you and ask about workforce readiness opportunities like This Way ONward.
Bridging the Opportunity Gap at Old Navy
Gap Inc.’s founders envisioned a company that could bridge the opportunity gap for people and communities touched by our business. At Gap Inc., creating sustainable economies and a culture of equality and belonging looks like programs and partnerships that open doors to underrepresent-ed talent across gender, race, age, and more. As part of the Gap Inc. portfolio, Old Navy use the assets and scale of their business to enable opportunity through This Way ONward, tackling systemic barriers to employment by creating stable first jobs for young people from historically underrepresented communities.
