News & Impact

Over the last fourteen summers, the JFCS YouthFirst Summer Internship Program has placed hundreds of high school teens with Bay Area businesses, giving the interns an opportunity to explore careers of interest to them.

This year, one of the teens joined the JFCS marketing team, wanting to learn more about storytelling—especially in the form of video. She was tasked with documenting her six-week experience in a short film and blog, both of which are shared below.

We’re immensely grateful for the hard work Binnie put in during her time at JFCS and would like to give a big thanks to her and all of the other interns who participated this summer, as well as to each of the partner businesses for lending their invaluable guidance and expertise. 

—Binnie Kenvin, San Francisco University High School, JFCS Marketing Department Summer Intern

The YouthFirst Summer Internship Program offers a unique and invaluable opportunity for teens in the Bay Area, a region known for its competitive job market. The YouthFirst Summer Internship Program, now in its 14th year, is a six-week paid internship experience that places dozens of teens in over 40 local organizations, including professional theaters, medical offices, wildlife reservations, fashion boutiques, biology labs, JFCS itself, and more.

The program provides teens with their first taste of work life and fosters lifelong workplace skills and etiquette. Every Tuesday, interns gather at JFCS for workshops focused on professional and personal development. These sessions cover essential values such as social responsibility, integrity, and professionalism.

After the workshops, interns enjoy lunch and share their internship experiences with peers. Another key aspect of YouthFirst is the relationship between interns and their supervisors. Supervisors are on-site employees at the respective workplaces, and serve as approachable mentors, offering guidance, advice, and insights into the workplace.

Interns also have the chance to conduct informational interviews with other coworkers, gaining diverse perspectives on their roles.

Lucas Panis, an intern at Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery under Dr. Kaplan, shared his positive experience, stating, “My experience has been wonderful, surrounded by a friendly and supportive team, and learning so much in the clinic.”

Mariette Wharton, an intern at the National Institute for Mentoring Business Leaders & Entrepreneurs Mindset, echoed this sentiment, saying, “So far, it is amazing—I am learning so much through actively working and experiencing the field firsthand.”

And they’re not alone, nearly all of the surveyed interns report they’ve had a positive work experience. The supportive environment provided by both JFCS and the program’s many generous partner workplaces ensures that interns feel valued and motivated to excel.  

Moreover, the variety of placements available means that there is something for everyone, regardless of their career interests. The YouthFirst Summer Internship Program is an exceptional initiative that equips teens with practical skills, professional knowledge, and meaningful connections, setting them on a path to future success.