Career Success Program

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Career Success is an intra-departmental and community collaborative effort led by Dakota County Children and Family Services to provide career and employment exploration activities for disconnected youth ages 13-18. The program goals are: 1) encourage interest in sustainable career paths in alignment with industry demands, 2) develop youth promotive and protective factors, and 3) increase employability. Close partnerships have been developed to create programming and engage youth to participate. Nearly 300 youth have participated in Career Success exploration activities since its inception in 2016. As a result of the program, youth have obtained skills and experiences to list on resumes and applications, such as CPR certification or forklift operator credentials, but have also increased their social connections, interpersonal skills, awareness of possibilities, interests and abilities, and self-confidence to successfully pursue employment opportunities.