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Career Exploration Project
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The Career Exploration Project fills the need for exposure to career options and engaging work for court-involved youth who would otherwise not have access to these opportunities. In 1999 and 2003, the project was recognized by the Promising and Effective Practices Network (PEPNet) as a national best-practice model.

The goal of Career Exploration is to build self-confidence and practical skills by training and supporting project participants through their first job experience, enabling them to continue their education and find long-term employment. All participants are felony offenders aged 15-19 enrolled in the Court Employment Project. Each year, there are four cycles of Career Exploration, with an average of 50-60 participants enrolled in Career Exploration annually. Participants are admitted to the project based on interviews conducted by the Project Coordinator and personal essays that provide insight into each youth's motivation and readiness for intensive training and work experience. Each project cycle includes:

• One month of employment skills training. This classroom training is designed to develop positive work skills and behaviors. Participants practice interviewing, resume writing, and job search skills; explore team-building techniques; and develop communication skills through journal writing and public speaking. Conflict resolution and anger management workshops are an integral part of the training, preparing youth to manage frustrations on the job.
  
  
• Internships at small businesses and non-profits for participants who complete the job skills training. Worksites include recording companies, magazines, television studios, and community agencies. The Project Coordinator carefully selects worksites based on the youth's interest in the field of work, and the quality of supervision and work experience the worksite can provide to our participants. Supervisors form important mentoring relationships with the interns. During the school year, interns work 14 hours a week for ten weeks and earn a stipend of $100 per week. In the summer, interns work 20 hours a week for eight weeks and are paid $150 per week. During their internships, participants meet at CASES every Friday afternoon for a classroom session that focuses on group support, evaluating their work experiences, and hearing from guest speakers.
  
  
• The Project conducts Career Awareness Activities such as job-shadowing, worksite visits, and presentations by guest speakers from a variety of professions. These activities offer youth the chance to learn about a particular industry, observe professionals at work, and pose questions to the professionals.
  
  
• College awareness and guidance activities. CASES sponsors trips to colleges outside of New York City that have a successful track record with urban youth such as Hampshire College, Lincoln University, and The State University of New York at Bingampton. We also have a partnership with City University of New York (CUNY). A CUNY representative meets with participants to discuss admissions, academic programs, and financial aid