Industry City Summer Internships Connects Sunset Park Youth To The Job Market
Sunset Park youth are gaining hands-on experience in the innovation economy through various Industry City internship programs this summer.
The manufacturing hub and over 20 of its tenants currently host more than 50 interns, a majority of which reside in Sunset Park. The interns were brought up by the City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), Ladders for Leaders, the Red Hook Initiative, the Center for Family Life (CFL), and Turning Point Brooklyn, as well as through direct and local outreach.
“The internship program is another way to bring residents, in this case, young people, into the opportunities growing at Industry City,” said Industry City CEO Andrew Kimball. “The hands-on work experience with makers and innovators here at Industry City will give local youth valuable, transferable skills, and an entry point to the high-paying jobs in the innovation economy.”
Kimball said the diverse internship opportunities encompass all aspects of the economy from fashion and food to media and technology, and it includes tenants such as Time Inc., Fodera Guitars, BaubleBar and Li-Lac Chocolates.
“Industry City’s network of workforce develop partners gave me a chance to work for and learn from one of the biggest media companies in the world at a time when the company is rapidly innovating,” said Matthew Soto, a Sunset Park resident and Time Inc. intern. “Having a way in, a door to this opportunity is something I never thought I’d find in my own backyard.”
“I’m getting better at communications and public speaking,” said Jonathan Aguilar, also a Sunset Park resident and Industry City intern. “These are important skills for any job.”
At Ombligo, a company that up-cycles IT equipment, interns ranging from 14 to 22 years of age, are testing and receiving training to learn how to assemble and disassemble hardware.
Other internships at Industry City have a track record of success, according to former interns.
“Every day, I utilize skills I first acquired during my internship,” said Lily Zheng, a former intern for Industry City tenant, FilmRise, who was hired to a full-time position earlier this year. “Now even more people can seize the same opportunity I had and have access to all of the incredible companies and jobs at Industry City.”