Do you know a Berkshire high school sophomore ready for a one-of-a-kind experience that will introduce them to career pathways in the region, grow their network to include students, business leaders, and community members from across the Berkshires, and help develop their leadership skills? Great news: 1Berkshire’s Berkshire Youth Leadership Program has relaunched and is accepting applications!
The 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program, open to all current sophomores in the Berkshires, selects a cohort of up to 30 motivated students from all backgrounds for this ten-month experience that will allow them to explore the regional economy and develop their leadership skills. Once selected, students will begin the program with a 3-day, 3-night retreat in late May near the end of their sophomore year. At the retreat, students will meet for the first time, begin to build connections, and learn about their individual leadership styles.
Over the following ten months, students will reconvene for eight full-day sessions, held at various locations across the Berkshires (or virtually, in the case of severe weather conditions). During these sessions, students will meet with business leaders and dynamic community members to learn about a sector of the regional economy, including but not limited to advanced manufacturing, healthcare and wellness, outdoor recreation, the creative economy, and hospitality and tourism. Students will develop leadership traits through activities within the sessions, and as a class, will develop and execute a collective impact project that will enhance life in the Berkshires.
Kevin Pink, Deputy Director of Economic Development at 1Berkshire and Program Coordinator of the Youth Leadership Program, noted, “Students have a unique opportunity to grow as individuals and as members of a community spanning the Berkshires, while gaining a deep understanding of career opportunities available to them here and working together on a project that makes a positive impact in the region they call home.”
This program is made possible through the ongoing financial support of Berkshire Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Camp Becket Chimney Corners, NBT Bank, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and others. The 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program is coordinated by 1Berkshire with the dynamic support of the volunteer Youth Leadership Program Steering Committee, composed of professionals from across the region who commit their time and expertise to develop and facilitate the entire program.
Until the February 14th deadline, sophomores from any school in the Berkshires, and equivalent-aged home-schooled students, may submit an application for the program. Please contact economicdev@1berkshire.com with any questions, and encourage any sophomores you know to apply here!