As a part of our commitment toward educating NYC youth, CASW seeks to offer real-world work experience to participants ages 14-24. For those in our Ladders for Leaders program, this looks like an opportunity to build necessary professional skills like creating a resume, interviewing, and networking, all in preparation for a paid internship with one of our various partners. That being said, as participants prepare to spend 7 weeks gaining experience in the field of their choice, they can benefit from talking to people who’ve been in their shoes and know a thing or two about what’s ahead.
The Accelerator Event: Real-World Experience and Expert Mentorship
The Ladders for Leaders Accelerator event was an engaging and impactful experience, where current LFL selected participants had the opportunity to learn directly from accomplished professionals across industries. They gained valuable insight into career pathways, leadership, and workplace readiness, including individualized resume feedback and mock interview practice. Through interactive discussions, networking opportunities, and real-world advice, our young participants were able to build confidence and expand their understanding of professional environments—tools that will support them in the coming weeks as they begin applying for their summer internships.
The event featured an impressive lineup of guest speakers who generously shared their knowledge and experiences:
- Rose O’Neill, Supply Chain Planner, Sony Music Entertainment
- Julio Reyes, Regional Manager, Citizens Bank
- Robert Then, Branch Manager, Citizens Bank
- Francisco Cabreja, Branch Manager, Citizens Bank
- Francisco Gonzalez, Branch Manager, Citizens Bank
- Tiago David, Branch Manager, Citizens Bank
- Brian Fedorczak, Branch Manager, Citizens Bank
- Remy Reyes, Student, ALPFA Lehman
- Jensen Mathew, Tax Intern, KPMG
- Eric Leon Alvarez, Finance Intern, NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln & VITA Tax Preparer
- Joseph Fernandez, Student, ALPFA Lehman
- Chandrawatty Singh, Branch Manager, Citizens Bank
- Emilio Breton, Branch Manager, Citizens Bank
- Ramona DeJesus, Branch Manager, Citizens Bank
- Cesar Reyes, Branch Manager, Citizens Bank
- Daniel Santana, Audit Intern, Grant Thornton
- Denisse Mira, Adjunct Professor, Touro NYSCAS
Another special highlight of the event was our partnership with Citizens Bank, which provided financial education and helped participants open bank accounts. We are excited to continue this collaboration in upcoming events, including our SYEP program in May, to further support youth in building financial literacy and professional skills.
Investing in the Next Generation: A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Volunteers
We are beyond grateful for our numerous volunteers and their contributions to the next generation of up and coming professionals. It is through partnerships and community-wide efforts such as these that CASW is able to serve NYC youth. We look forward to what the coming months bring, both for our participants and our generous partners.
