Earn & Learn City interns wrap-up work this week

Teens offered Mayor thoughts on program, career goals and City government
 

The 173 Earn & Learn teens who worked in city internships this summer wrapped up their final day on the job by participating in an open dialogue session with Mayor Tom Barrett. This was the third year of the Earn & Learn Summer Youth Jobs program, in which teens are placed in city internships, community-based positions or jobs in the private sector. This season 1,500 teens took part in the program.   Mayor Barrett talking with Earn & Learn teens Mayor Barrett wanted to hear from teens placed in various city departments about their experiences good and bad, what they noticed about the work performed by departments and about challenges in the workplace. Some interns told the Mayor that their internships inspired them to rethink their career goals. Others said they never realized how much city departments do for the citizens of Milwaukee. The Earn & Learn interns offered frank opinions about what they’d like to see change in city government, including a request to expand the Earn & Learn program to year-round. Earn & Learn teens share their views about the program.

Manpower Inc. hosted the event at its world headquarters in downtown Milwaukee, as part of its partnership with the Earn & Learn program. Manpower and Victory Personnel Services provided payroll services, assisted with interviewing teen applicants and provided instruction on successful work habits.

Several Earn & Learn City Internship partners were recognized during the wrap-up session, including: M&I Bank for leading a Banking Education Day and providing ATM cards to the teens; Marquette University for its assistance in leading Education Fridays and Career Training session; UW-Milwaukee for coordinating a Leadership Development session and organizing a College Fair; MSOE for providing the Kern Center and Auditorium for the Healthy Living and Banking Education Days.