New Career-Building Tool for Youth Workers

For the first time, New Yorkers who work with and inspire kids in youth and after-school programs have one place online to find all the tools they need to build a career with staying power. Launched today by The After-School Corporation (TASC), with support from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), The Wallace Foundation and the Booth Ferris Foundation, Pathfinder (www.afterschoolpathfinder.org) is the first website of its kind, an online hub where youth workers and job-seekers, trainers and employers can connect and share job, educational and career opportunities.

"Helping dedicated members of this workforce build their skills and set career goals is one of the most important things we can do to help them lead kids to great outcomes," said Lucy N. Friedman, President of TASC.

"Our after-school workforce is key to providing quality services to our youth and families," said Jeanne B. Mullgrav, Commissioner of DYCD. "We are delighted to support this investment in their futures. This unique and innovative website will provide youth work and after-school professionals with easy access to training and education opportunities, and empower them with the knowledge and skills to build their careers."

Visitors to AfterschoolPathfinder.org can do all of the following:

• Search for jobs and get alerts when job openings are posted
• Post and find training and professional development opportunities for themselves or their staff members
• Publicize job openings to qualified job-seekers
• Create winning resumes and cover letters
• Plot a path to turn part-time and entry-level jobs into careers

More than 1 million Americans work with kids in the hours beyond the traditional school day, in after-school programs and other youth organizations such as settlement houses and Ys. For many, it's their first job. Most undergo extensive on-the-job training, gaining valuable skills that can apply to related careers, such as teaching. Yet this field has been overlooked as part of a national strategy to boost employment and create new career paths, in part because it's often difficult for individuals to discern what kind of training and education is necessary to rise to positions of growing responsibility and compensation.

AfterschoolPathfinder.org provides users a tool to build customized career plans, by taking advantage of professional development opportunities. This free resource is dedicated to helping current and aspiring professionals do work they love with kids while growing in skills and career possibilities.