City Government

Mayor Schaaf Welcomes Summer Interns to City Hall

Published

11 years ago

July 8, 2015

Mayor Libby Schaaf, together with youth employment partners, corporate donors, and city staff welcomed summer interns to City Hall this week during a kick-off reception for Oakland’s Classrooms2Careers program.

The interns represented a portion of the more than 1,800 young people who will be employed across the city this summer in positions with the City of Oakland, Alameda County, various state and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and private businesses as part of the Classrooms2Careers program.

The Classrooms2Careers Program (formerly known as the Mayor’s Summer Job Program) is based on the Earn & Learn model, a national initiative that prepares students for successful careers by combining career-oriented academic curriculum, relevant work experience, and financial assistance to students.

The core goals of the Classrooms2Careers program include preparing Oakland youth for college and professional careers, offering meaningful opportunities to gain real-world skills and experience, connecting youth with professional mentors, and employing local talent for local jobs.

City departments hosting summer interns include but are not limited to the Oakland Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk, the Treasury Department, the Business Assistance Center, Oakland Parks & Recreation, Head Start, City Council, Oakland Housing Authority, and the Department of Human Services.

BART, the Oakland Zoo, and Yes We Code are among many outside agencies serving as job placement sites.

“It is one of the great pleasures of this job that I get to work with dedicated community partners, tireless City staff, and generous private sector sponsors to make sure that we are creating valuable learning and employment experiences for every young person in Oakland,” Mayor Schaaf told the interns.

“Whether your interests lie in city government or other areas, this is an experience you will carry with you for a lifetime. I hope that it will inspire and empower you to achieve all your personal, academic, and professional goals,” she said.

Mayor Schaaf also acknowledged the generous contributions of several private sector partners who are helping the program employ greater numbers of young people this summer – which included PG&E, Wells Fargo, Clorox, Kaiser, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Turner Construction.