You wouldn’t expect to find more than 100 kids at a learning event on a Saturday morning one week after summer starts, but that was exactly the scene at the Northdale Recreation Center this weekend as kids ages 13 to 18 showed up for Hillsborough County’s annual Teen Summit.
“As a student who sees teens not know what to do after they get out of high school, it’s really important to me to help prepare them for the next stage,” said Jordyn Dees, a rising junior at Steinbrenner High School and a co-organizer of the event, as well as an alumna. “I want our community to grow into an even better one. The community you live in should be important to you. If you want to see change, you’ve got to do it yourself. You can’t expect others to do it for you.”
Dees has been through the program but is in her first year of helping organize it.
“We’re kind of preparing them for jobs and careers,” said Dees. “Things like resume building – what to put on it, how to format – how to get interviews, how to dress for success. To learn how to dress for formal interviews – for interviews or meetings – finance classes like balancing a checkbook or managing money and public speaking.”
Joe Monroe of Hillsborough County’s Youth Leadership Council was quick to come up with his best advice for recent graduates and current students entering the workforce.
“Plan. Prepare. Don’t wait,” said Monroe. “Plan ahead. A lot of people want to cram for a test or a job. Try to get out of that habit. Get in the habit of planning and preparing yourself.”
The program aims to teach students how to become business leaders and take active leadership roles in their communities.
Of course, a few games are sprinkled in for fun.
The hope is, with a little experience, kids will feel more comfortable and know what to expect from life after school.
“The world can be really scary from our position,” said Dees. “But if you go in with a solid plan of what you want to do and how – it can be easier and less stressful on you.”