Gen Z & Career Mentorship: How Teen Clothing Designer Impressed Corporate Execs

Nico with Jill, Senior Vice President of HR & Talent Management

18-year-old Nico has an eye for style. What he’s still piecing together is what it takes to thrive in the fashion industry. Luckily, Carter’s, a national partner of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, gave him the behind-the-scenes look he needed with a one-day internship.

After fueling up on bakery goodies, Nico’s day began with a one-on-one meeting with Jill Wilson, Carter’s Senior Vice President of HR & Talent Management and Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Trustee for the Southeast Region.

Then, he learned Carter’s product design process from the Vice President of Design before sharing his own garment illustration portfolio with the Director of Graphic Art. By day’s end, Nico left with firsthand knowledge in product design, merchandising and operations management from the successful apparel company.

Designing Clothes & Career Pathways

Since joining Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, Nico has explored many career development opportunities. He shadowed a professional barber while leading peer mentoring. He spent a week at the Florida State Capitol Building, learning local politics from a city councilman and networking with a U.S. Congressperson. And his latest accomplishment: producing and marketing his own clothing brand, Loud Apparel, using tools and resources from his local Club’s teen leadership program. After his internship at Carter’s, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 2024 National Youth of the Year is even more poised to elevate his fashion line.

Nico with Jacob Frias, Vice President of Store Operations

“The kind of exposure Nico has received at such an early age has given him incredible experiences most individuals will never have in their lifetime,” says Jacob Frias, Vice President of Store Operations at Carter’s. “Nico went from spending time at a corporate office with key executives to meeting President Biden in a matter of days.”

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, real-world experiences like these are more valuable than ever. Through the Boys & Girls Club, Nico has been able to explore his interests, discover new passions and see firsthand what these particular careers entail — all key elements for setting the next generation up for success.

“Gen Z will be critical to the growth of companies for many years to come. Entrepreneurial opportunities in particular are important for recruiting and retaining future talent.” says Vice President of Store Operations Jacob Frias.

How Mentorship Steered Nico’s Journey

Jacob continues, “Organizations must understand how to leverage technology and social responsibility in the communities we serve, as well as the importance of having a diverse workforce. We need to be adept at understanding career goals and aspirations by ensuring future leaders can explore different paths instead of taking a linear approach to career development.”

This is where the role of mentorship comes into play. Mentorship involves having a trusted guide who shares their wisdom and experience to help young people on their journeys. Mentoring can be a special relationship where someone who’s been successful in a field offers advice, support and encouragement. A mentor can also help youth explore different career paths, develop essential skills and introduce them to a network that can open doors to new opportunities. Most importantly, mentors can help a young person unlock their potential to realize that no goal is too difficult to achieve.

“From two to six years old, I struggled with febrile seizures, which forced me to relearn how to speak at the age of seven,” says Nico, a freshman at Florida State University. “The confidence I gained in public speaking and leadership came largely from my Boys & Girls Club. My mentors provided me with opportunities to speak in front of groups and build my skills, which was instrumental since I dream of being a motivational speaker and politician.”

Time and again, Nico’s mentors at his Club urged him to try new things, take risks and explore different paths.

“From playing basketball and being part of something bigger than myself to practicing countless interviews to articulate my ideas under pressure, my Club mentors taught me vital lessons,” Nico says. “These lessons continue to benefit me in college and will be invaluable in my future career.”

A Glimpse into the Gen Z Workforce

The lessons Nico absorbed from his years at the Club shone brightly during his day at Carter’s — and the executives noticed.

“I was so impressed with Nico’s communication skills, maturity and how well-rounded he is as an individual who is interested in the arts and politics,” says Florencia Walton, Carter’s Vice President of Design. “He displayed curiosity and engaged in meaningful conversation. He is driven, unique and wants to make a difference. He has all the qualities I believe will set him up for success in both college and a future career.”

Nico himself agrees. Once he completes his bachelor’s degree in political science, he plans to pursue a law degree. He’ll also keep up with Boys & Girls Clubs to stay involved in community engagement and create meaningful change for kids and teens.

“I imagine being an advocate for under-resourced communities in Jacksonville,” Nico says. “That may mean becoming a Jacksonville school board member, Jacksonville’s mayor or the U.S. president. No matter what I decide, a major goal is to ensure that every young person from Jacksonville gets the support they need to achieve their dreams, too.”

The future of many organizations is equally bright because of the young leaders emerging from Boys & Girls Clubs.

“Nico truly inspired me,” says Florencia. “He taught me just how great an impact Boys & Girls Clubs have on Gen Z and society as a whole. We need these young people with their varied perspectives and their appreciation of things we sometimes take for granted.”

Nico also trusts that his generation will change the world for the better: “To the fellow members of my generation, we are capable of anything we put our minds to. It’s up to us to decide.”