July 25, 2024
Exposure to new life opportunities is vital for our young people’s academic and personal growth. That’s why our Summer Career Institute program is such an important part of their experience at Mercy Home. Through this annual program, our young people have opportunities to visit Chicago-area companies, organizations, and workplaces where they learn more about a variety of career fields.
“All of these trips show the youth that these paths are real paths,” said Director of Post Secondary Options, Career Resources and Scholarships Marlin Exton.
Recently a group of young people toured the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech), the training center for the unionized electrical industry of Cook County, located in Alsip, Ill.
The Vice President and Director of Community Relations of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134, Maurice King, talked to the youth about the job responsibilities of an electrical worker, the training required, the apprenticeship program, and how they could pursue a career in the trades.
The tour included a model of a full frame house built by apprentices. Youth learned about the electrical tools used in building the house and how apprentices installed light fixtures and ran the wires throughout.
Trips like those organized through the Summer Career Institute provide valuable exposure and insights that have the potential to change the trajectory of a young person’s life. The program also demonstrates to our young people that Mercy Home is ready to support them in whatever career they wish to pursue.
“Some of them have never known any of those career paths before coming to Mercy Home,” Exton said. “It shows them the different aspects, and we make sure as long as they want it, Mercy helps them do it.”
The tour left an impression with the group.
“This was a good experience, and the place itself was cool,” Lawrence, one of the attendees, said. “I just really want to work there.”
These trips are also a great opportunity for our youth to practice the professional skills they have been learning at our Home while they interact with positive role models and begin thinking about their future careers.
“The kids [learned that they] have people they can go to, to help them navigate [challenges at work],” Exton said. “The hope is that they can lean on people with these life skills.”
Building connections with the companies participating in the Summer Career Institute also allows our young people to make connections that can lead to opportunities for future employment.
“Kids are getting connected with internships and jobs,” Justin Earls, senior coordinator of career resources, said. “[These places] want to help Mercy Home, and the opportunities are endless.”
Thank you to the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute for welcoming our young people and sharing insights into the electrical field!
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