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Inspiring leadership: Build the mindset to create change

Participants explore careers through innovation and social entrepreneurship. They identify real-world challenges, develop creative solutions, and build the leadership skills needed to turn ideas into impact.

Enroll your organization

Enroll your organization

Why bring this program to your organization?

Builds leadership identity

Builds leadership identity

Learn how leadership can create positive change in community, and career pathways.

Learn how leadership can create positive change in community, and career pathways.

Encourages innovation

Encourages innovation

Creates space for participants to explore challenges, generate ideas, and connect learning to real-world needs.

Creates space for participants to explore challenges, generate ideas, and connect learning to real-world needs.

Connects careers to purpose

Connects careers to purpose

Shows how different career pathways can contribute to communities, industries, and future opportunities.

Shows how different career pathways can contribute to communities, industries, and future opportunities.

Strengthens participant agency

Strengthens participant agency

Gain confidence that their ideas can solve problems and improve communities.

Gain confidence that their ideas can solve problems and improve communities.

Aligned with
development goals

Career awareness & exploration

Career awareness & exploration

Introduces students to industries, companies, 

and leadership roles across career sectors.

Introduces students to industries, companies, 

and leadership roles across career sectors.

Foundational skill-building

Foundational skill-building

Builds communication, collaboration, critical thinking, 

and presentation skills.

Builds communication, collaboration, critical thinking, 

and presentation skills.

Social-emotional & leadership development

Social-emotional & leadership development

Supports confidence, self-awareness, leadership identity, 

and reflection.

Supports confidence, self-awareness, leadership identity, 

and reflection.

Work-based learning alignment

Work-based learning alignment

Connects classroom learning to real-world roles 

and career pathways.

Connects classroom learning to real-world roles 

and career pathways.

Equity & inclusion

Equity & inclusion

Designed to be accessible for English Language Learners 

and younger high school students.

Designed to be accessible for English Language Learners 

and younger high school students.

What participants learns

Equity & inclusion

Explore industries, roles, and pathways connected to innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, and social impact.

Explore industries, roles, and pathways connected to innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, and social impact.

Career exploration & planning

Connect personal interests, strengths, and ideas to future career possibilities and next-step goals.

Connect personal interests, strengths, and ideas to future career possibilities and next-step goals.

Reflection & future readiness

Reflect on personal growth, leadership style, and how new skills connect to future opportunities.

Reflect on personal growth, leadership style, and how new skills connect to future opportunities.

Social impact project

Develop a project, concept, or solution that responds to a community, school, or real-world challenge.

Develop a project, concept, or solution that responds to a community, school, or real-world challenge.

Pitch & presentation skills

Present a problem, explain an idea, communicate value, and share impact with confidence.

Present a problem, explain an idea, communicate value, and share impact with confidence.

Leadership confidence

Practice using voice, taking initiative, and collaborating with peers as emerging leaders.

Practice using voice, taking initiative, and collaborating with peers as emerging leaders.

Innovation mindset

Identify real-world problems, generate creative ideas, and think like solution-builders.

Identify real-world problems, generate creative ideas, and think like solution-builders.

Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship Pathway

Understand

Understand

Participants learn how leaders and entrepreneurs identify problems worth solving and recognize opportunities for impact.

Ideate

Ideate

Participants brainstorm creative solutions and connect their ideas to real needs, audiences, and outcomes.

Build

Build

Participants shape their ideas into project concepts, campaigns, service models, or early solution frameworks.

Discover

Discover

Participants explore real challenges within communities, organizations, industries, or everyday environments.

Present

Present

Participants pitch their ideas, explain the problem they are addressing, and communicate the intended impact.

Reflect

Reflect

Participants connect their learning to leadership growth, career pathways, personal strengths, and future goals.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Portrait of a Graduate

Leadership in action

A deeper grasp of leadership applied to entrepreneurship and community solutions.

Presentation and storytelling skills

Enhanced presentation and storytelling abilities using tools like Google Slides or Canva.

Social impact and innovation

Greater insight into social problems and innovation pathways for creating impact

Collaboration and personal agency

Strengthened leadership presence, collaboration, and agency.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Portrait of a Graduate

Leadership in action

A deeper grasp of leadership applied to entrepreneurship and community solutions.

Presentation and storytelling skills

Enhanced presentation and storytelling abilities using tools like Google Slides or Canva.

Active, meaningful engagement

Participants choose speakers and prepare questions, ensuring dialogue over lectures.

Collaboration and personal agency

Strengthened leadership presence, collaboration, and agency.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Portrait of a Graduate

Leadership in action

A deeper grasp of leadership applied to entrepreneurship and community solutions.

Presentation and storytelling skills

Enhanced presentation and storytelling abilities using tools like Google Slides or Canva.

Social impact and innovation

Greater insight into social problems and innovation pathways for creating impact

Collaboration and personal agency

Strengthened leadership presence, collaboration, and agency.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Portrait of a Graduate

Leadership in action

A deeper grasp of leadership applied to entrepreneurship and community solutions.

Presentation and storytelling skills

Enhanced presentation and storytelling abilities using tools like Google Slides or Canva.

Active, meaningful engagement

Participants choose speakers and prepare questions, ensuring dialogue over lectures.

Collaboration and personal agency

Strengthened leadership presence, collaboration, and agency.

Learning frameworks

Organizations can select the framework that best fits their goals — from broad career exploration to deeper professional exposure and guided support.

DANCE

DANCE

MUSIC

Choose a Seminar Tier

How a program delivery works

Instructional time

Instructional time

02

PSL orientations

02

Participant orientations

10

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

Requirements

Partner institutions provide basic classroom support to ensure smooth program delivery

Partner institutions provide basic classroom support to ensure smooth program delivery

Classroom space

Classroom space

Devices & tech setup

Devices & tech setup

Delivery Mode

Delivery Mode

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

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

Virtual

Virtual

In person

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.

Ambassadors

Five peer leaders guide Career Cohorts and support participation.

Connect With Our Team

Program impact in numbers

Program impact in numbers

80%

80%

Career exploration completion

75%

75%

Leadership confidence growth

90%

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

What our alumni say about us

“I wanted to learn and gain as much insight as to my future as a business leader. I now know how to handle sponsors, build a company brand, and connect with people effectively.”

“I wanted to learn and gain as much insight as to my future as a business leader. I now know how to handle sponsors, build a company brand, and connect with people effectively.”

XAVIER T

ALUM 2025 NYCID

Moments that tell the story

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

Ready to bring Inspiring Leadership to your program?

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

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

Enroll your organization

Other leadership programs to explore

Activating Leadership

Activating Leadership equips Interns with 10 core leadership skills while guiding them through the WRITE (Wonder, Reflect, Impact, Track, Empower) framework.

Activating Leadership

Activating Leadership equips Interns with 10 core leadership skills while guiding them through the WRITE (Wonder, Reflect, Impact, Track, Empower) framework.

Building Leadership

Building Leadership introduces core financial literacy by blending foundational leadership skills with personal money management.

Building Leadership

Building Leadership introduces core financial literacy by blending foundational leadership skills with personal money management.

Empowering Leadership

Empowering Leadership builds agency as participants reflect on how they already exhibit 10 core leadership skills.

Empowering Leadership

Empowering Leadership builds agency as participants reflect on how they already exhibit 10 core leadership skills.

Inspiring Leadership

Inspiring Leadership builds on Discovering Leadership by introducing participants to the entrepreneurial mindset.

Inspiring Leadership

Inspiring Leadership builds on Discovering Leadership by introducing participants to the entrepreneurial mindset.

SpeakHire is a 501c3 organization. EIN 47-4132773

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

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