Author: Kelly Parrish

Our summer interns are learning  more than just the ropes of the business world. They’re  acquiring skills that will serve them well throughout their careers. Recently, a group of bright interns had the opportunity to attend an etiquette lunch at the renowned Capital Grill, and the lessons they gleaned were invaluable.

The Setting: Capital Grill’s Elegant Ambiance
Walking into the Capital Grill, the interns were immediately enveloped by an atmosphere of refined sophistication. The elegant setting, with its dark wood paneling, soft lighting, and impeccably set tables, set the stage for a lesson in professional decorum. The restaurant, known for its high standards and attention to detail, was the perfect venue for this crucial lesson in business etiquette.

Navigating the Table Settings
One of the most practical lessons involved the intricacies of table settings. With multiple forks, knives, and spoons placed strategically around the plate, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The interns were guided through the correct use of each utensil and the proper way to navigate a multi-course meal. This lesson underscored the idea that knowing how to handle a formal dining setup is crucial for business meals and can prevent awkwardness during important meetings.

The Art of Conversation
During the lunch, the interns had the chance to practice the art of conversation—an essential skill in any professional setting. They learned how to engage in meaningful dialogue while avoiding controversial topics. The emphasis was placed on listening actively and asking open-ended questions, which fosters a genuine connection with others and helps build strong professional relationships.

The Etiquette of Dining
Proper dining etiquette was a focal point of the event. From handling bread plates to managing wine glasses, every detail mattered. The interns were shown how to use napkins appropriately, the importance of waiting for everyone to be served before starting, and the etiquette of excusing oneself from the table. These seemingly small details can make a significant difference in how one is perceived in a professional environment.

The Takeaway: Polished Professionalism
The etiquette lunch at Capital Grill was more than just a meal; it was a comprehensive lesson in professionalism. The interns left with a deeper understanding of how polished manners and refined etiquette contribute to career success. They learned that every detail, from the way you dress to how you conduct yourself at a formal event, plays a role in shaping your professional image.

In the world of business, the ability to navigate social situations with grace and confidence can set you apart. For these interns, the lessons learned at the Capital Grill will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for their future endeavors, ensuring they step into their careers with poise and professionalism.

We’re excited to share the success of our recent CPR/First Aid Day for Apprentice Learning’s City Summer Interns (CSI), Activate: City Summer (ACS) interns, and Peer Leaders! Apprentice Learning rising 9th grade Interns have been learning to earn and earning to learn since early July. Our two internships offer a wide array of career broadening experiences as well as self efficacy and essential job skill readiness. CSI focuses on careers in which women are underrepresented, under-recognized, or underestimated. ACS focuses on kinesthetic careers. During their five week with Apprentice Learning, youth earn a stipend as they practice being work ready, courage ready, and community ready.  On July 17, 2024, 62 youth gathered for an absolutely invaluable training session at the Urban College of Boston and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

At Apprentice Learning, our mission is to provide real-world work experiences for middle-grade youth. Partnering with schools and employers, we leverage career exploration to teach skills, ignite purpose, and nurture dreams.  Our programs provide youth with tangible and intangible tools for their life’s tool box. We are invested in their growing and continued ability to make astute life, career, and education choices for themselves as they learn to navigate the world as global citizens.

This impactful event was made possible by an incredible community: Lateia Johnson and her team of trainers;  Marisa Otis, Manager of Community Programs at the Office of Community Health at Boston Children’s Hospital; Stacy Walker, Director of Community Health Planning and Engagement at the Office of Community Health at Boston Children’s Hospital; and Tara Agrawal, Director of Community Investment at the Office of Community Health at Boston Children’s Hospital; and especially Michelle Keenan, Director of Community Engagement and Education at the Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Partnership at Harvard Medical School. Special thanks to Michelle for connecting us all!

This shared commitment to providing First Aid/CPR training and certification exemplifies our dedication to equipping our interns with essential skills for their future. We can’t and won’t do it alone. We know that communal wealth for Boston middle grade youth exists and that by tapping into it, our young people will receive more of what they are entitled to. It’s not special or extra. It’s what’s right.

Thank you to our trainers and volunteers for their expertise and commitment. Your support ensures our youth are prepared, confident, and ready to make a difference in their communities!

We are thrilled to share a glimpse of our journey in empowering Boston’s middle school students through hands-on work experiences. Watch the latest Cummings Properties YouTube video to see how we’re making a difference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK3AsN-DsVw (We are on at 2:22)

Here’s what Apprentice Learning is all about:

🔹 Empowering Youth: Our mission is to provide middle school students with real-world work experiences, helping them discover their strengths and passions.

🔹 Communal Wealth: We are grateful for the local businesses and professionals who offer their time and expertise, creating a supportive network for our students.

🔹 Hands-On Learning: Through diverse apprenticeships, students gain practical skills and insights into various career paths, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world applications.

🔹 Building Confidence and Purpose: Exposure to different work environments and professional mentors helps our students build confidence, self-awareness, and a strong sense of purpose.

🔹 Long-Term Impact: Our program not only prepares students for future careers but also fosters a lifelong love for learning and personal growth.

A big thank you to everyone who supports Apprentice Learning and contributes to igniting purpose in Boston’s youth.

#CummingsGrant

Excerpts remarks written and presented by Shantel Mercedes, AL’s first class of Apprentices at the 2024 Spring Gala

In 2012, I was in the 8th grade at Mission Hill and became one of the first students to participate in Apprentice Learning, a program to help us get jobs and secure internships. I was a teen who had no work experience, and no clue what I was doing, however, I was still excited. 

And honestly, I was probably more excited because I got to leave school early and “go to work”, for six once-a-week sessions!

Apprentice Learning gave me my first experience in the workforce. It was during my apprenticeship that I learned the value of responsibility, hard work, and dedication to self. I was already a responsible kid, however, I started to take my time and my responsibilities more seriously. 

I apprenticed at a knitting and fabric store close to my home. The business itself wasn’t so important, rather it was the outcome and progress I would make within myself for myself that I valued.

After graduating from middle school, Apprentice Learning assisted me in applying and interviewing, for the first time ever for a summer job at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at the Center Community Health and Health Equity student programs. 

This became my first paid work experience and the foundation of what I wanted to do with my life, what I wanted to learn, and where I wanted my career to go. I was fortunate to have continued in these programs throughout high school and every summer throughout my undergrad.

I am the first person in my family to go to college, not once, but twice. In 2021, I graduated from Mills College in Oakland, CA, with a Bachelor’s in Public Health and Health Equity with a minor in Sociology. This month, I will graduate from Simmons University with a Master’s in Public Health centered around Health Equity and Social justice. 

At 26 years old, I have accomplished much in my life. And it all started when I was 13 years old taking part in Apprentice Learning as a part of my 8th grade school day.

It is through opportunities like Apprentice Learning that students begin to develop their voice, to be confident in their existence, and begin to manage the world while still being in a safe space. 

When we give students a chance and give them the grace they deserve, it is then that they truly begin to flourish and value themselves.  It is a transgenerational effect, where knowledge and skill intersect and can begin to be passed from one generation to the next. 

As a Boston native, a woman of color, and a first-generation American born, I had glass ceilings I couldn’t see, or even touch. It is through mentorship, dedication, discipline and perseverance that I have succeeded and continue to succeed in my life. I always say that if it was not Apprentice Learning, I still would have ended up great, but because of it, I ended up better.

Apprentice Learning’s programs consistently deepen the link between school and career possibilities using hands-on learning in the workplace. An integral part of the school day, Apprenticeships drive home the connection between career and academic success for eighth grade students. This year, a $200 stipend augments the importance of successfully practicing skills and earning power. 

In our five partner schools, each of our 192 apprentices in our six preparatory sessions and six workplace sessions work towards earning a full stipend for attendance, punctuality and the practice of essential skills such as communication, self-presentation and completion of their first resume. Angel notes, “The money was on my mind.” The stipend amplifies the experience to feel like a real world experience. 

Tasmin 2023 Apprentice, echoes this feeling, “I practiced being work ready by doing my work and always going to school on Thursdays. I  was invested in the training and development programs that focus on building workplace readiness skills. I liked the workshops that cover essential topics like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.”  

What impact have stipends had on Apprenticeships?

1. After a dip in the Covid years, Fall 2023 attendance has improved to 87% prep sessions and to 88% in workplace-based learning compared to Spring 2023 attendance of 79% and 84% respectively. This contributes to our schools’ attendance improvement strategies. 
2. Families are excited to learn that their child is eligible for a paid stipend. Often this is an eighth grade student’s first paid experience and an opportunity to introduce savings and budgeting.
3. Earning one’s first “check” is a memorable moment and fills youth with pride and a sense of competence and self-efficacy.

Funding partners from the Office for Workforce Development, the Office for Youth Engagement and Advancement, Jinny Chalmers Fund, and Someone Else’s Child Foundation have supported this effort, launching the City’s youngest workers into a rich array of summer and school year employment opportunities that will build their career interests throughout high school and beyond.

We are extraordinarily grateful for this deep investment in launching youth into the workforce. In 2023, the City made an unprecedented $18.7M investment in youth jobs, the largest in Boston’s history. Their website notes that funding supported 5,000 youth jobs with local nonprofits and 2,000 City based jobs, making the City of Boston the largest local employer for youth jobs.