For 10 weeks this summer I had the amazing opportunity to work with the Young Scholars Liberty Partnership Program researching the impact of internship experiences on high school students and recent high school graduates. The Young Scholars Liberty Partnership Program was founded in 1993 through a collaborative effort between Utica University and the Utica City School District. The program was created to address the low graduation rates and encourage students to pursue higher education. Specifically, the program was born out of a need to provide low-to-moderate-income students with cultural diversity and social guidance through academic enrichment. Since 1993, the organization has now expanded into middle school, accepting incoming 7th graders and following them until graduation and sometimes beyond. The program is beautifully run and designed, providing internships to high school scholars and encouraging active community building all over the city in addition to providing student support within the middle and high schools. Students in this program have the opportunity to go to Utica University with financial support through the Utica Promise. Young Scholars Liberty Partnership Program provides a plethora of resources to shape the young minds of Utica.
By conducting interviews with various Utica based partners and former Young Scholars, I was able to see the administrative side of education and explore the Utica area outside of quick visits to the train station. While carrying on my research, I spoke with and visited different people from various backgrounds and ethnic groups which exposed me to the diversity of the city. I've been able to visit the public library, the community center and even a thrift tool store. I conducted 10-20 minute interviews with a number of small businesses in Utica that have hosted Young Scholars’ interns through the years. It was clear through these interviews what a huge impact this internship program has had not only on the interns themselves, but also for the businesses and business owners. Interviewees were full of praise and gratitude towards Young Scholars and the interns themselves, while also highlighting the intergenerational acceptance and collaboration that were a result of the internships.
Many partners of the Young Scholars program commented on how the ideas and understanding of Generation Z that came from the internship, has assisted in providing a pathway to expanding their clientele to younger groups while also delivering a stronger connection to the Utica community. Likewise, numerous former interns have commented on the internship process and how they were able to develop their communication and organizational skills because they were working in offices or elsewhere. The value of the Young Scholars program is tied to creating a community where students are able to thrive and grow soft skills at an early age, which has benefitted and impacted their lives as they grow. I was fortunate to be able to witness and record what has been cultivated for more than 30 years.
While I conducted my research from an educational framework I am not an education major — however, my major and research were not in conflict with one another. By working with the Young Scholars Liberty Partnership Program, I’ve confirmed some of my own personal interests such as wanting to work with and protect children and women. While I’m not too keen on working in an office setting, the environment was very lighthearted and the Young Scholars team worked together to overcome intermittent moments of chaos. Despite this being my first time interacting with this organization, it was very nostalgic to speak with everyone and to realize how similar this program is to the ones of my past. I really connected with the organization’s focus on developing and supporting the minds of low-to-moderate income students.
This project was a fulfilling experience where I dabbled in administrative work such as filing imperative documents and aiding with attendance for hundreds of adolescents. I joined the Upstate Institute because I wanted to be more community-oriented outside of 49ͼ and the village of Hamilton, NY. Being in Utica has opened my eyes to the possibilities of the Mohawk Valley and upstate New York as a whole. This has been a fantastic opportunity that has shown me the importance of cultivating young minds regionally.