Three Poughkeepsie High School students recently completed internships through the City of Poughkeepsie Youth Services Program.
Akeliyah Fray, Amillia Clark and Nevaeh Lemmon, pictured from left with Youth Services Director Karen Williams on the Right, completed the Work Experience Program, which offered an up-close look at the daily operations of City Hall.
The program, designed to provide hands-on experience and foster early career development, placed participants in various departments across City Hall. From administrative work to civic engagement, students spent four weeks immersed in real-world tasks while working 25 hours per week alongside seasoned staff.
“Our goal is to not only expose youth to public service careers, but to also give them a sense of ownership and connection to their local government,” Williams said.
As part of the placement process, each participant was required to submit a resume and complete a formal interview with a department supervisor — accompanied by Williams. This approach provided critical interview experience while also ensuring that youth felt supported by a familiar face during the process.
Throughout the program, youth employees were able to build relationships with City Hall professionals, learning directly from the people who help run departments such as finance, planning, housing and public works. These experiences not only helped participants sharpen workplace skills but also expanded their understanding of how municipal government functions behind the scenes.
“The best part was learning how much goes into the decisions that affect our neighborhoods,” Clark said. “It made me feel like I could be part of it someday.”
The program culminated with participation in the SYEP Career Fair at BOCES on Aug. 8, where youth had the chance to explore career paths, meet employers and practice networking in a professional setting.