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Programs

Events

Switch to Partnering

Donate now

Programs

Events

Switch to Partnering

Donate now

For ages 11–14 and English learners 14+

Empowering leadership for workplace readiness

Participants engage with professional stories, analyze real-world case studies, and complete guided reflections that strengthen career planning, credentials, and transition readiness.

Enroll your organization

Why bring this program to your organization?

Ongoing professional learning
and support

Ongoing professional learning and support

High expectations and rigorous instructions

Welcoming and affirming environment

Inclusive curriculum and assessment

Aligned with
development goals

Career awareness & exploration

Links money decisions to career pathways, leadership, and future opportunities.

Foundational skill-building

Builds numeracy, planning, resource management, and strategic thinking.

Financial literacy development

Strengthens understanding of saving, investing, income, budgeting, and asset growth.

Equity and inclusion

Expands access to financial knowledge and helps close early learning gaps.

Work-based learning alignment

Uses real scenarios and budgeting activities to support practical readiness.

College, career, and life readiness

Supports independent living, career planning, and long-term financial confidence.

What participants learns

Leadership principles

Understand leadership through real-world examples and case studies.

Critical thinking

Strengthen decision-making through scenario analysis and reflection.

10 reflection assignments

Complete structured tasks that build confidence and personal insight.

Leadership portfolio

Compile key reflections into a portfolio showing growth and readiness.

Future readiness

Prepare for future opportunities, and career pathways.

Self-awareness

Identify leadership style, strengths, and growth areas.

Clear communication

Express insights clearly through writing and discussion.

Where empowering leadership takes participants next

Internship preparation

Participants become better prepared to engage with career professionals, ask stronger questions, and build meaningful industry relationships.

Professional guidance

Through reflection, case studies, and workplace leadership scenarios, participants gain confidence for internship and early career environments.

Leadership portfolio

Participants complete reflection-based assignments that can be compiled into a portfolio showing growth, strengths, and future readiness.

Career pathway confidence

Participants connect their personal story, leadership style, and workplace skills to clearer education and career next steps.

Peer connection & belonging

The course strengthens authenticity, vulnerability, and peer connection, helping participants feel more confident in collaborative environments.

Institutional insight

Principals and program teams gain a clearer view of participant growth, readiness, and support needs across the leadership journey.

Learning outcomes

Portrait of a Graduate

Click any segment to learn more about it

Reflective and future focused

A graduate understands their strengths, goals, and areas for growth. They reflect on their learning, make responsible choices, and plan confidently for their future.

Learning outcomes

Portrait of a Graduate

Click any segment to learn more about it

Reflective and future focused

A graduate understands their strengths, goals, and areas for growth. They reflect on their learning, make responsible choices, and plan confidently for their future.

Learning outcomes

Portrait of a Graduate

Click any segment to learn more about it

Reflective and future focused

A graduate understands their strengths, goals, and areas for growth. They reflect on their learning, make responsible choices, and plan confidently for their future.

Learning outcomes

Portrait of a Graduate

Click any segment to learn more about it

Reflective and future focused

A graduate understands their strengths, goals, and areas for growth. They reflect on their learning, make responsible choices, and plan confidently for their future.

Learning framework

Analyze

Analyze the case study, the protagonist’s decisions, and the leadership skill shown in the scenario.

Reflection

Task assignment

How a program delivery works

Instructional time

PSL orientations

Participant orientations

2.25-hour sessions or split sessions

*depends on the organization schedule.

Orientation

Introduces the program structure

Explains the learning journey

Sets participant expectations

Builds early clarity and confidence

Prepares participants for upcoming sessions

Requirements

Partner institutions provide basic classroom support to ensure smooth program delivery

Classroom space

Devices & tech setup

Delivery Mode

Two delivery options based on the needs and setup of the partner institution

Virtual

In person

Career pathways facilitator

Leads program delivery and guides participant learning.

Partner support liaison

Supports classroom coordination, engagement, and communication.

Weekly CPF–PSL check-ins

Align on goals, review progress, and plan engagement strategies.

Career Connector

Returning partners may include alumni age 14+ as paid peer mentors.

Quality Support

CPFs are recruited, trained, and supported through ongoing professional development.

Connect With Our Team

Program impact in numbers

80%

Career exploration completion

75%

Leadership confidence growth

90%

Future career awareness

SpeakHire transformed our internship program during the pandemic, matching our newly arrived immigrant students with dedicated mentors who reflect their backgrounds. Through this partnership, students have developed leadership and advocacy skills while gaining the confidence to dream beyond their circumstances.
Kevin Hesseltine
Principal, Flushing IHS
I would like to share that at the beginning, I felt very insecure and nervous, as I was not confident in my abilities. However, my mentor supported me with patience, kindness, and encouragement, which gradually helped me build confidence and courage. Over time, I began to feel more comfortable expressing myself, and I am truly grateful for the guidance and support I received.
Abigail
Cortona IHS
I chose SpeakHire because I was attracted by the opportunity to have connections with people in the field I am interested in. During the 9 sessions for Foundational Year, my Champion provided a great amount of information, always looked for our interests and questions, and gave us the best advice. I really enjoyed my matches because I was able to learn something new from each session, and the information we received is very useful to continue learning in the future. It was a great opportunity to learn more about my interests and it gave me more confidence in what I would like to do when I finish high school.
Erick Cuzco
IHS Union Square
I truly appreciated the teacher who was patient with me, especially since I do not speak English as well as I would like. However, I believe it is better to try than not to try at all. I have enjoyed sharing my purposes and goals, which I will achieve with God's guidance. I am very grateful to be part of this group with all of you.
Eimy
Crotona IHS
Our students are working directly with professionals and getting mentored by them. They are enjoying the program, receiving rating reviews, and are very deeply connected to the professionals. The program provides a great and unique opportunity for students, especially younger youth starting 9th and 10th grade, and our school plans to continue participating in the future.
Shweta Ratra
Principal, Crotona IHS
I felt that the match was perfect for me because my Champion helped me develop myself more professionally and advised me in my current college application process. Excellent job and really helpful for immigrant kids who need help in preparation for college, work, and other areas. Thank you for your hard work
Ashmel Martinez
ELLIS
This is a great opportunity and experience for me. It has helped me a lot with my university and my future, and has let me know myself better and where I want to go. The experiences and suggestions the Champion shared with us were helpful, and I learned a lot during the sessions. She is more like a friend when we communicate and share ideas together. I love the format, and SpeakHire—this program is really nice to have.
Ziyi Lin
Flushing IHS

SpeakHire transformed our internship program during the pandemic, matching our newly arrived immigrant students with dedicated mentors who reflect their backgrounds. Through this partnership, students have developed leadership and advocacy skills while gaining the confidence to dream beyond their circumstances.
Kevin Hesseltine
Principal, Flushing IHS
I would like to share that at the beginning, I felt very insecure and nervous, as I was not confident in my abilities. However, my mentor supported me with patience, kindness, and encouragement, which gradually helped me build confidence and courage. Over time, I began to feel more comfortable expressing myself, and I am truly grateful for the guidance and support I received.
Abigail
Cortona IHS
I chose SpeakHire because I was attracted by the opportunity to have connections with people in the field I am interested in. During the 9 sessions for Foundational Year, my Champion provided a great amount of information, always looked for our interests and questions, and gave us the best advice. I really enjoyed my matches because I was able to learn something new from each session, and the information we received is very useful to continue learning in the future. It was a great opportunity to learn more about my interests and it gave me more confidence in what I would like to do when I finish high school.
Erick Cuzco
IHS Union Square
I truly appreciated the teacher who was patient with me, especially since I do not speak English as well as I would like. However, I believe it is better to try than not to try at all. I have enjoyed sharing my purposes and goals, which I will achieve with God's guidance. I am very grateful to be part of this group with all of you.
Eimy
Crotona IHS
Our students are working directly with professionals and getting mentored by them. They are enjoying the program, receiving rating reviews, and are very deeply connected to the professionals. The program provides a great and unique opportunity for students, especially younger youth starting 9th and 10th grade, and our school plans to continue participating in the future.
Shweta Ratra
Principal, Crotona IHS
I felt that the match was perfect for me because my Champion helped me develop myself more professionally and advised me in my current college application process. Excellent job and really helpful for immigrant kids who need help in preparation for college, work, and other areas. Thank you for your hard work
Ashmel Martinez
ELLIS
This is a great opportunity and experience for me. It has helped me a lot with my university and my future, and has let me know myself better and where I want to go. The experiences and suggestions the Champion shared with us were helpful, and I learned a lot during the sessions. She is more like a friend when we communicate and share ideas together. I love the format, and SpeakHire—this program is really nice to have.
Ziyi Lin
Flushing IHS

What our alumni say about us

“The Empowering Leadership Course came at the right time. I explored my own leadership, confidently delivering my valedictorian speech, and knowing I had agency and voice even at a college where I was a clear minority.”

CYNTHIA A.

ALUM 2022 QUEENS PREP. ACAD.

Moments that tell the story

A glimpse into the people, programs, and shared experiences that bring the SpeakHire community to life.

Ready to bring civic leadership into action?

Partner with SPEAKHIRE to help participants develop confidence, career readiness, leadership skills, and meaningful professional connections.

Enroll your organization

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Empowering Leadership

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SpeakHire is a 501c3 organization. EIN 47-4132773

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Foundational Year

About Us

Our Mission

Impact

Our Board

Theory of Change

News

SpeakHire Magazine

Quick Link

SpeakHire Series

First Step

Seminars

Leadership Courses

Foundational Year

Get Involved

Partners

Interns

Champions

Careers

Volunteers

Support the mission

Become a volunteer

Empowering leadership for workplace readiness

Why bring this program to your organization?

Aligned with development goals

What participants learns

Leadership principles

Critical thinking

10 reflection assignments

Leadership portfolio

Future readiness

Self-awareness

Clear communication

Where empowering leadership takes participants next

Internship preparation

Professional guidance

Leadership portfolio

Career pathway confidence

Peer connection & belonging

Institutional insight

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Learning framework

How a program delivery works

Program impact in numbers

Program impact in numbers

What our alumni say about us

What our alumni say about us

“The Empowering Leadership Course came at the right time. I explored my own leadership, confidently delivering my valedictorian speech, and knowing I had agency and voice even at a college where I was a clear minority.”

“The Empowering Leadership Course came at the right time. I explored my own leadership, confidently delivering my valedictorian speech, and knowing I had agency and voice even at a college where I was a clear minority.”

CYNTHIA A.

Moments that tell the story

Ready to bring civic leadership into action?

Other leadership programs to explore

About Us

Get Involved

Quick Link

About Us

Quick Link

Get Involved

Aligned with
development goals