865 Tampa Bay Youth Explore Future Careers Through Summer P.A.Y.S.

865 Tampa Bay Youth Explore Future Careers Through Summer P.A.Y.S. 

~CareerSource Tampa Bay connected low-income and underserved youth across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties with paid work experience, leadership training, and career exploration through Summer P.A.Y.S. ~ 

TAMPA, Fla. — CareerSource Tampa Bay (CSTB) connected 865 low-income and underserved youth ages 15 to 24 throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties with paid work experience, leadership training, and career exploration through its Summer P.A.Y.S. (Preparing Area Youth for Success) program, equipping participants with the skills, experiences, and career awareness needed for future success.  

Through partnerships with employers, educators, and community organizations, Summer P.A.Y.S. provides hands-on learning opportunities that build workplace skills, expand career awareness, and prepare participants for high-demand careers. 

Summer P.A.Y.S. included:  

Paid Work Experience (PWE): 418 youth completed six-week paid internships with local employers, earning $15 per hour while developing workplace skills and exploring career pathways.  

Career Exploration Training (CXP): 365 youth completed a four-week online curriculum focused on career exploration, networking, and engagement with business leaders.  

Youth Leadership Training (YLT): 44 youth participated in leadership and entrepreneurship training, culminating in a community service project.  

University of South Florida (USF) Immersive Learning: 11 youth attended USF Youth Experiences camps, gaining exposure to college life and career pathways.  

St. Petersburg College (SPC) Immersive Learning: 27 youth attended SPC Career Exploration Camps, gaining hands-on skills and exposure to high-demand careers.  

As part of a visit to the region, CareerSource Florida President & CEO Adrienne Johnston toured the University of South Florida Youth Experiences program, where she observed youth engaged in hands-on career exploration.  

“What I’ve seen today are students who get an opportunity to see things that they otherwise never would get to experience… They are getting that exposure early, which is so important,” said Adrienne Johnston, President & CEO of CareerSource Florida.  

“For me, this reinforces the belief that young people need experiences to be able to grow, and I think what is important is making sure our opportunity youth are attached to the experiences so they can understand career pathways and also develop the meaningful connections in the industries that are going to help them thrive and grow,” said Leondra Foster, Director of Youth Programs at CareerSource Tampa Bay.   

For more information about CareerSource Tampa Bay’s youth programs and services, visit CareerSourceTampaBay.com/Youth-Services or contact Leondra Foster, Director of Youth Programs, at [email protected].  

Video Resources:  

• CareerSource Florida President & CEO Tours USF Youth Experiences:  [link] 

• USF Youth Experiences: Anatomy of a Roller Coaster: [link] 

• USF Youth Experiences: Bulls Startup: [link] 

• Paid Work Experience: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Internship: [link] 

About CareerSource Tampa Bay  

Effective July 1, 2024, CareerSource Tampa Bay is the designated local workforce development board serving Hillsborough County and Pinellas County. CareerSource Tampa Bay is governed by a board of directors whose members are appointed by a consortium of Chief Local Elected Officials (CLEOs) from each county commission. 

CareerSource Tampa Bay is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers listed may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.  

CareerSource Tampa Bay is the direct service provider for various workforce programs which are supported by the U.S. Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and other agencies as part of awards totaling $38,665,000 with 93% federally funded (Updated annually, as of September 2025).  

For more information about CareerSource Tampa Bay, please visit: https://careersourcetampabay.com  

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• Tags:
• Career Exploration
• Paid Internships
• Paid Work Experience
• Summer P.A.Y.S.
• Youth Programs
• Youth Workforce Development