Connecting you to your career

Foundational Year is SpeakHire's pre-internship program that builds professional identity and career confidence. Interns practice key skills, develop career plans, and graduate with workplace understanding, professional presence, and supportive networks.

individuals served 


since 2015

individuals served 

since 2015

92%

report feeling career-ready
after the program

report feeling career-ready after the program

55%

secured higher-paying,


career-aligned roles

secured higher-paying,

career-aligned roles

individuals served 

since 2015

55%

secured higher-paying,

career-aligned roles

92%

report feeling career-ready after the program

Professional Identity

Career Confidence

Champion Mentorship

Workplace Readiness

Supportive Networks

Aligned with NYC Goals

Every session is designed to advance the priorities set by NYC's Department of Education and Department of Youth and Community Development.

01

Career Readiness & Workforce Preparation

Interns build industry-agnostic skills (communication, collaboration, problem-solving, professionalism, digital fluency) and agency to succeed in internships and future pathways.

Future-Ready Skills

Workplace Confidence

Professional Communication

01

Career Readiness & Workforce Preparation

Interns build industry-agnostic skills (communication, collaboration, problem-solving, professionalism, digital fluency) and agency to succeed in internships and future pathways.

Future-Ready Skills

Workplace Confidence

Professional Communication

02

Counseling & Social Capital

Champions serve as coaches, mentors, and sponsors, expanding Interns' networks and building professional identity through real-world guidance.

Future-Ready Skills

Workplace Confidence

Professional Communication

02

Counseling & Social Capital

Champions serve as coaches, mentors, and sponsors, expanding Interns' networks and building professional identity through real-world guidance.

Future-Ready Skills

Workplace Confidence

Professional Communication

03

Leadership & Peer Development

Ambassadors receive 13 leadership sessions, leading peers, modeling responsibility, and fostering resilience, empathy, and self-advocacy.

Future-Ready Skills

Workplace Confidence

Professional Communication

04

Effective Communication & Fluency

Interns practice career skills, STAR stories, and presentations with Champions, strengthening English fluency and confidence.

Future-Ready Skills

Workplace Confidence

Professional Communication

05

Equity & Future Focus

Interns gain access to diverse role models, reflect on growth areas, and set meaningful career goals that promote inclusion and long-term success.

Future-Ready Skills

Workplace Confidence

Professional Communication

Aligned with NYC Goals

Every session is designed to advance the priorities set by NYC's Department of Education and Department of Youth and Community Development.

01

Career Readiness & Workforce Preparation

Interns build industry-agnostic skills (communication, collaboration, problem-solving, professionalism, digital fluency) and agency to succeed in internships and future pathways.

Future-Ready Skills

Workplace Confidence

Professional Communication

02

Counseling & Social Capital

Champions serve as coaches, mentors, and sponsors, expanding Interns' networks and building professional identity through real-world guidance.

Future-Ready Skills

Workplace Confidence

Professional Communication

03

Leadership & Peer Development

Ambassadors receive 13 leadership sessions, leading peers, modeling responsibility, and fostering resilience, empathy, and self-advocacy.

Future-Ready Skills

Workplace Confidence

Professional Communication

04

Effective Communication & Fluency

Interns practice career skills, STAR stories, and presentations with Champions, strengthening English fluency and confidence.

Future-Ready Skills

Workplace Confidence

Professional Communication

05

Equity & Future Focus

Interns gain access to diverse role models, reflect on growth areas, and set meaningful career goals that promote inclusion and long-term success.

Future-Ready Skills

Workplace Confidence

Professional Communication

Six Competencies

Every Foundational Year graduate embodies a set of core competencies that prepare them not just for their first job — but for a lifetime of career leadership and civic contribution.

01

Career Ready

Develops a strong foundation in industry-agnostic skills, confidence, and social capital to succeed in internships, post-secondary pathways, and the workforce.

Learn More

02

Career Ready

Develops a strong foundation in industry-agnostic skills, confidence, and social capital to succeed in internships, post-secondary pathways, and the workforce.

Learn More

03

Career Ready

Develops a strong foundation in industry-agnostic skills, confidence, and social capital to succeed in internships, post-secondary pathways, and the workforce.

Learn More

04

Career Ready

Develops a strong foundation in industry-agnostic skills, confidence, and social capital to succeed in internships, post-secondary pathways, and the workforce.

Learn More

05

Career Ready

Develops a strong foundation in industry-agnostic skills, confidence, and social capital to succeed in internships, post-secondary pathways, and the workforce.

Learn More

06

Career Ready

Develops a strong foundation in industry-agnostic skills, confidence, and social capital to succeed in internships, post-secondary pathways, and the workforce.

Learn More

How a program delivery works

01

01

01

What your support funds

What your support funds

Job-ready participants through leadership programs

Job-ready participants through leadership programs

Confidence and informed career decisions through coaching

Confidence and informed career decisions through coaching

Expands access to career pathways across communities

Expands access to career pathways across communities

02

02

Shared goals

Shared goals

Increase career readiness and post-secondary outcomes

Increase career readiness and post-secondary outcomes

Build strong, measurable professional networks

Build strong, measurable professional networks

Track impact and expand access through partnerships

Track impact and expand access through partnerships

03

03

What SPEAKHIRE brings

What SPEAKHIRE brings

Full program delivery — curriculum, facilitation, and materials

Full program delivery — curriculum, facilitation, and materials

Champion recruitment, training, and matching

Champion recruitment, training, and matching

Internship placement coordination

Internship placement coordination

Career-ready outcomes students can carry forward

Career-ready outcomes students can carry forward

Career Pathway Plan

A personalized roadmap outlining career interests, post-secondary options, goals, and next steps.

Workplace Skills

Practical growth in communication, collaboration, problem-solving and professionalism.

Professional Portfolio

A polished set of career materials including a resume, cover letter, work samples, and reflections.

Career Confidence

Stronger readiness to engage with mentors, explore opportunities, and succeed in internships.

Voices from our community

Real people. Real stories. Real impact.

“There’s a story behind how my name is pronounced — a story of heritage, migration, and identity. Saying it correctly is one way we honor where we come from.”

DAVID SHAPIRO

Your voice.

Your name.

“There’s a story behind how my name is pronounced — a story of heritage, migration, and identity. Saying it correctly is one way we honor where we come from.”

DAVID SHAPIRO

Your voice.

Your name.

“There’s a story behind how my name is pronounced — a story of heritage, migration, and identity. Saying it correctly is one way we honor where we come from.”

DAVID SHAPIRO

Your voice.

Your name.

More than 40

Stories Shared

More than 40

Stories Shared

16th June

Join SPEAKHIRE for the
#Speakingmyname campaign.

Join SPEAKHIRE for the
#Speakingmyname campaign.

Join SPEAKHIRE for the
#Speakingmyname campaign.

Take the power back in your name. Recognize people for #SpeakingMyName

Countless

Voices Amplified

Countless

Voices Amplified

SPEAKHIRE is a 501c3 organization. EIN 47-4132773

SPEAKHIRE is a 501c3 organization. EIN 47-4132773

About Us

Our Mission

Impact

Our Board

Theory of change

News

SPEAKHIRE Magazine

Get Involved

Partners

Interns

Champions

Careers

Volunteers

Quick Link

SPEAKHIRE Series

First Step

Leadership Courses

Foundational Year

Seminars

About Us

Our Mission

Impact

Our Board

Theory of change

News

SPEAKHIRE Magazine

Quick Link

SPEAKHIRE Series

First Step

Leadership Courses

Foundational Year

Seminars

Get Involved

Partners

Interns

Champions

Careers

Volunteers