Employers are becoming more creative in how they address hiring issues, staff shortages and reinforcing their future workforce. For area businesses, that solution involves area high school and early college students and introducing them to their various industries through the “My Future’s So Bright” summer work program.
Now in its second year, the "My Future’s So Bright" summer work program is designed to provide valuable career development opportunities and real-world work experience to the youth community of Fayetteville, NC. This initiative aims to equip participants with essential skills and knowledge to prepare them for future employment and personal growth.
To qualify for the program, applicants must:
“At the age of 14, how many of us knew what we wanted to do? How many people know what they didn't want to do? I think both of those things are equally important and that is one of the main benefits of this program. It allows participants to be able to see a lot of different things. And this is such a pivotal age in [their] lives and I feel strongly that this program has a positive lasting impact on the youth in our community,” shared Deputy Director of Mid-Carolina Regional Council Samantha Wullenwaber.
For the 2024 session, the Mid-Carolina Workforce Development Board partnered with 11 area businesses to take on 22 summer interns. Businesses included Personameant Solutions LLC, Becoming Counseling Services PLLC, I Love Balloons LLC, Fayetteville State University's Charles W Chesnutt Library, The City of Fayetteville Parks and Rec, The Mo You Know Marketing, Walgreens, The UPS Store- Cliffdale location, the Washington Apparel Company, Lucas Moore Realty and the Mid-Carolina Regional Council.
“The biggest thing that I wanted to focus on for the kids is I want them to get exposure to new technology and also look at the back end of how a business is run, not just looking at the front end,” shared Sylvia Glanton, founder of Personameant Solutions. “I wanted them to see how much work it takes to actually run a business and build a business. I had Hosea working on email marketing, we had Tyree help with the credit repair process, he helped us send out letters for our virtual address services and we had Giovanni, he did websites. So they came in and learned a lot.”
The program is fully supported financially by the City of Fayetteville, who has allocated a total of $200,000 for the program to be paid over a three year period. So far the program has grown from 19 interns to 22 and that growth is expected to continue into 2025.
“Last year was the first year we had the program. The City of Fayetteville graciously gave us a grant to be able to have a program. They asked us to find something that we could do for the summer that would be meaningful,” shared Verna L. Jones, deputy Director of Workforce Development. “We decided to create a cohort that would not only give these participants a place to just go work, or something for the summer, but they will leave [being able] to understand what it takes to be successful.”
Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Fayetteville Kathy Jensen was featured as a keynote speaker during the ceremony and highlighted the City’s commitment to growing and investing in its future workforce.
“The My Future’s So Bright initiative represents the visionary approach to youth development in Fayetteville. It is rooted in the understanding that our young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but active participants in shaping the future of our community today,” said Jensen. “This commitment to empowering Fayetteville’s youth is essential training employment opportunities we aim to cultivate as a strong vibrant future workforce through structured support and guidance. By empowering our youth, we cultivate a more stable, prosperous community poised to sustain growth and resilience. I urge every business, organization and citizen in Fayetteville to join us in supporting My Future's So Bright with your involvement in the investment in our youth and the future of our city together.”
The 22 graduate students were honored with a graduation ceremony on Friday, July 19 at the Fayetteville Technical Community College Tony Rand Student Center. Each graduate received a certificate and many will be staying on as employees at their assigned businesses.
Graduates included:
“To the graduates, I’m so proud of y’all. Y’all are super great and really remarkable. There are people spending their summers doing way less rewarding things and you spent your summers working from nine to five for six weeks,” shared graduate Olivia Cody. “You're investing in your future.So walking away from this, don't let this be the best thing you ever do. Go out, be great. You're gonna be amazing. I can't wait to hear about it.”
Applications will open for students for the 2025 run of the program in February to allow more time for interested teens to prepare their submissions. Students and businesses interested in participating can contact the Mid-Carolina Regional Council at
910-323-4191.
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