Through the integration of traditional education, skills enhancement, and innovative on-the-job experiences, EmployIndy is committed to connecting Marion County’s youth with local employers to maximize workplace exposure before entering the workforce. Our organization continues to scale high-quality, career-connected learning by utilizing a variety of collaborative partnerships, programs, and initiatives. One such partnership began in August of 2021 when EmployIndy received a $15,000 grant from Verizon to help connect Marion County students to tech-related opportunities and industry pathways.

This investment offers barrier-busting support for students who face inequitable challenges in accessing career services, such as transportation and food insecurity, and also supports programming for Talent Bound, EmployIndy’s work-based learning initiative. Talent Bound prepares Marion County’s young people for career exploration and engagement while providing opportunities for on-the-job experience and hands-on learning with local employers. The initiative offers targeted services for both Opportunity Youth– young adults, ages 16 to 24, who have disengaged from secondary education or are disconnected from the workforce upon graduation– as well as in-school youth, with programs such Modern Apprenticeship (MAP) and Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG). 

The Verizon investment provides an estimated 300 young people participating in either the continuum of Talent Bound activities or in the MAP and JAG programs with bus transportation, lunches, and program swag. This partnership has since extended to panel discussions, site tours, and speaking opportunities. On December 7th, 2021, four representatives from Verizon participated in a panel discussion at Arsenal Technical High School in which they provided an overview of Verizon, its products and services, future careers, and its commitment to supporting local, educational initiatives. 

“The Verizon panel was a great experience for students. Students learned that the company is highly diverse, comprised of many divisions, and future career opportunities are endless,” said Derrick Barnett, work-based learning coordinator at Arsenal Technical High School.

During the panel discussion, each representative shared their individual stories of both successes and challenges, beginning with high school and to the present day. 52 Arsenal Tech students– 16 seniors from Computer Science and 36 from freshmen Preparing for College & Careers– were present for this event. Students were very interested in part-time employment opportunities with Verizon; they were also able to network with the Verizon representatives over lunch. 

“This panel was a great way for students at Arsenal Tech High School to see the many different opportunities within a tech-related career,” says Matt Simpson, Associate Director of Talent Bound at EmployIndy. “The Verizon employees had varying levels of experience and unique professional journeys, and it was an excellent way to showcase the variety of career pathways available in the tech industry.”

The Verizon panel sparked even more potential opportunities for Verizon to engage with Talent Bound students, including mock interviews, resume writing, job shadowing, and possible field trips to the Verizon corporate office this next semester.

You can learn more about Talent Bound and its opportunities for partnership by visiting www.talentbound.org.