Workforce Challenge

As a child, Marcus dreamed of working in the science/math field when he grew up. He graduated from high school and enrolled in community college but found it wasn’t a good fit for him. Instead, he applied for retail and security jobs, but found it difficult to even get an interview. He floundered for a bit, and then a family friend recommended Youth Opportunity (YO) Baltimore for young people disconnected from school and the workforce.

Workforce Solution

Marcus showed up to enroll at the Eastside YO Center in a suit and tie, and jumped right into job-readiness workshops – learning about resume writing, time management, and the importance of having a good attitude. Through YO, he landed an internship at Morgan Stanley through a program called Year Up. After that, Marcus landed a string of temporary assignments, always doing his best work and making positive impressions on his employers. As a result, he was recruited for his current position as a full-time research program assistant with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

Outcomes & Benefits

Marcus works hard and loves what he’s doing, but he hasn’t stopped looking to the future. His next step is to earn a degree in finance; he’s applying to several local colleges. He says, “YO has given me a great foundation to build upon. When I came here, I knew I had skills, but YO has given me the opportunities to prove myself.”