When Bessie joined Enterprise for Youth’s AI workshop, she once viewed artificial intelligence as a distant and intimidating concept, but learning how AI agents work changed her perspective. She discovered its power to enhance human progress and applied it in a project building a biomedical vision-language model that analyzes pneumonia, blood cells, and dermatology scans while addressing biases in how skin tones are classified. The experience sparked her interest in STEM and revealed how AI connects to healthcare, design, and other creative fields. Through Enterprise for Youth’s partnership with Salesforce at Dreamforce, Bessie saw how AI education empowers young people to use technology responsibly, turning curiosity into confidence and helping shape the future of innovation.

At just 19, Cameron Doyle—an Enterprise for Youth alum—has already transformed his curiosity about nature into a clear career path. What began in San Francisco’s parks through the Climate Career Corps has now taken root at SFO Airport, where he’s growing toward his dream: becoming a gardener.

Heather Boothe’s journey with Enterprise for Youth has come full circle. As a teenager, Enterprise gave her her first work experiences, from babysitting to waitstaff training. Now, as Chief of Interpretation & Education at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, she welcomes Enterprise interns into the park, guiding young people as they gain skills, confidence, and career insight just as she once did.

When Nelson Rodriguez joined Enterprise for Youth’s summer internship program, he wasn’t sure what career to pursue. His placement at the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living sparked a love for healthcare, leading him to earn his Certified Nursing Assistant certification while still in high school. Today, Nelson works as a CNA and is on track to become a travel nurse, crediting Enterprise for opening the door to his future.

The path from high school student to future environmental lawyer isn't always straightforward, but for some young professionals, early exposure to climate work and professional development can illuminate the way forward. Nolyn Wong's journey from Enterprise for Youth's Climate Career Corps to UC Berkeley's Political Economy program demonstrates how foundational career experiences can shape academic choices and long-term professional aspirations. Now thriving as a first-year student while maintaining clear goals for law school and corporate environmental law, Nolyn's story showcases the transformative power of early career exposure combined with academic excellence.

The path from high school student to future environmental lawyer isn't always straightforward, but for some young professionals, early exposure to climate work and professional development can illuminate the way forward. Nolyn Wong's journey from Enterprise for Youth's Climate Career Corps to UC Berkeley's Political Economy program demonstrates how foundational career experiences can shape academic choices and long-term professional aspirations. Now thriving as a first-year student while maintaining clear goals for law school and corporate environmental law, Nolyn's story showcases the transformative power of early career exposure combined with academic excellence.

Onesha's transformation from Enterprise for Youth's This Way Ahead program participant and retail professional to Sacramento State Deaf Studies student and educational interpreter demonstrates how early work experience can build foundational skills that translate across industries and life changes. Now focused on serving the deaf and hard of hearing community while balancing college and career, Onesha's story highlights the enduring value of communication skills, relationship building, and staying open to evolving opportunities.

At Enterprise for Youth, our Program Assistants are key players who work closely with Enterprise staff and Job Coaches to ensure a positive, welcoming, and smooth experience for all Enterprise interns.

During the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held in San Francisco this fall, Dominick, an Enterprise for Youth participant with a passion for environmental justice, found himself sharing breakfast with world leaders. 

Choosing what to focus on in college is no small feat. Enterprise for Youth helped Carmen Ng explore her options, find her focus, and pursue her passions. Having access to unique opportunities like our Job Readiness Training, Career Exploration Program, and our many paid internships sets our young people up for success and helps them carve out their career paths.

Youth like Kristel succeed because Enterprise for Youth shows them they can. Individualized support is a key ingredient in our job readiness and internship programming, allowing young people the opportunity and confidence to discover their skills and passions.

Enterprise for Youth is a central employment resource, where youth learn job-readiness skills and soft skills — and practice those skills in supportive, paid internships. If you are joining or thinking about joining an Enterprise program this year, here is some advice to keep in mind! 

Youth Council is a year-long leadership development internship. Youth Councilors hone personal and professional skills through attending workshops, planning events, representing Enterprise at events, and serving as a youth voice to the staff and board of Enterprise. 

Choosing a career path can be as intimidating as it is exciting, and for most youth, understanding the full breadth of the careers they can pursue is near impossible.

“What is working for Enterprise like?” From October to May, we had seven exceptional Enterprise youth interning for us. We asked each of them this question. Keep reading to see what they said!

High school senior Michael Buck gained a new perspective on the power of opportunity by training Enterprise intern Zachary Thornton while working at Starbucks. Michael and Zachary began working at Starbucks as part of Enterprise for Youth’s Direct-to-Hire program.

It’s not often we get the opportunity to try something new outside our career focus. Jasmine Gong got to push herself outside her comfort zone in her internship with Jenny Lemons in the Fall of 2022.

Climate Career Corps intern Felix Lin talks about his illuminating experience interning with Refuse Refuse.

Lesli Mejia de Paz became independent at the age of 15. “I separated myself from my parents and all my family [in Guatemala] because I came to the United States looking for opportunities and education.” Lesli came to San Francisco motivated to expand her horizons and to learn English. She enrolled in Mission High School and Enterprise for Youth where she completed four internships over three summers and gained valuable skills. Through our program, Lesli discovered her professional ambitions to become an environmental engineer.

We talked with Enterprise youth Baijian Xie about his summer internship at BAVC, during which he wrote and produced a short film as part of a team.