We were so excited to bring back in-person programs this year, and we are so proud of how our supporters came out in force. As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, we are so thankful for our 200+ volunteers who have made a stellar impact this year!
Cool Careers, Potential Paths
Cool Careers, Potential Paths (formerly Cool Women, Hot Jobs) is our signature career-day series at The Young Women’s Leadership Schools (TYWLS). Volunteers are invited to share their unique educational and career trajectory stories with our students. Below are a few event highlights in honor of National Volunteer Week!
TYWLS Brooklyn
Cool Careers, Potential Paths kicked off at TYWLS Brooklyn at the end of February! Throughout the morning, volunteers had 30-minute blocks to speak to different classes, where they shared their own stories and let students ask questions. The represented organizations included The Estee Lauder Companies, theSkimm, PepsiCo, and more.
“It was really rewarding to see students so engaged in potential career opportunities, and it’s really fun for me working at Pepsi to see how much they know and love our brand.” – Jenny, PepsiCo
Group of students and volunteers pose at TYWLS Brooklyn. 
An entrepreneur in the fashion industry talks to students about starting a business. 
Volunteer speaks to TYWLS Brooklyn students about her work as a lawyer. 
Volunteer takes questions from students about her work.
TYWLS Astoria
At TYWLS Astoria, students had the opportunity to connect with volunteers representing a variety of organizations, including Turner Construction Company, Warburg Pincus LLC, and CVS Health. Yolonda Marshall, Student Leadership Network’s CEO, attended this event to connect with our volunteers and provided opening remarks.
Students learn about a career in finance. 
A group of students and volunteers pose together at TYWLS Queens. 
Students talk to an employee at MAC Cosmetics about her work. 
An employee from AMEX speaks to students about his work. 
Students learn about the educational pathway to becoming a teacher. 
Students learn about the work of a school counselor from a volunteer.
TYWLS Staten Island
A panel of sixth-grade students kicked off the day by speaking about TYWLS Staten Island’s values and the student council organization. Student ambassadors then led volunteers on a school tour. They returned to the gymnasium, where students were split into groups for 10-minute rotations to have in-depth discussions with each volunteer.
Students and volunteers have a thoughtful discussion. 
A group of students and volunteers pose at TYWLS Staten Island. 
Women’s History Month bulletin board at TYWLS Staten Island. 
Students on a panel discussion share about the values of their school. 
Students share their “Glows & Grows” bulletin board with volunteers. 
Students talk to employees from The Estee Lauder Companies about their work. 
Students have the opportunity to ask volunteers questions about their careers.
“My advice to the students was to think about how you carry yourself – it’s important to always make positive connections, and to put yourself out there.” – Janna, East Rockaway School District
TYWLS Queens
Volunteers at TYWLS Queens started the morning with an information session and were then guided to classrooms by student ambassadors. Volunteers had 45-minute blocks to speak to students from 6th-12th grade and allow students to ask their questions. Students were excited to see a range of roles represented, including a role in corporate finance, a makeup artist, and a school counselor.
TYWLS East Harlem
Our largest group of volunteers this year, we were thrilled to see how many supporters showed up at TYWLS East Harlem to share their stories with our students. Companies like Target, Estee Lauder Companies, and American Express were strongly represented, with large numbers of their employees attending.
TYWLS Bronx
Nearly 50 volunteers spent a morning at TYWLS Bronx where they got to know our 6th to 8th-grade students. Even though this was one of our youngest groups of students, volunteers noted how insightful and probing the questions they received were. Additionally, we were excited to see a large contingent of TYWLS alumnae attend this particular event!
An impressive number of volunteers had an incredible impact at TYWLS East Harlem. 
A volunteer shares the importance of maintaining work/life balance. 
Students heard from volunteers in many industries including real estate, retail, and finance. 
Students were encouraged to be intentional about the people they sorround themselves with. 
Volunteers at TYWLS Bronx pose for a group picture with student ambassadors. 
Students learn about Tredway’s work in affordable housing. 
Volunteers shared the importance of being open to opportunities that come up. 
Long-time volunteer, and current Student Leadership Network COO, Sara tells students about the importance of collaboration.
“I got to study abroad, and that changed my world. Just seeing there are other opportunities for kids like me, and knowing ‘I can do it’ – that’s pushed me forward to want to do more and believe in myself ” – Luis, Teach for America
TYWLS at the Workplace
TYWLS at the Workplace coordinates a day in professional worksites for our 10th-grade students. Students across all six schools visit partner companies in small groups for an opportunity to learn and see what a day in the life of employees in different roles is like. Click below to learn more about the workplaces we’ve visited so far this year.
Your support makes moments like these possible!
