Celebrating the Summer of 2024 | |
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At the beginning of 2024, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu guaranteed a summer job to any Boston Public School student who wanted one. Scores of private sector companies and community-based organizations took up the call, leading to a summer filled with learning, laughter, and hard work. In partnership with Mayor Wu’s FutureBOS initiative, the PIC supported nearly 2,500 youth with securing paid jobs and internships across the city this summer.
Through our collaboration with our private sector and community-based employer partners this summer, Boston's students experienced the workplace as a learning place, developing skills that will be critical to their future success. We thank these partners for their commitment to welcoming this new generation to the workforce.
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New FAFSA Application
Prompts BPS Campaign
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The new 2024-2025 FAFSA posed serious problems for Boston Public School seniors. A delayed rollout and new features created unintentional barriers.
The FAFSA completion rate was 10% lower than last year, potentially leaving millions of financial aid dollars on the table. The BPS launched a campaign by enlisting the PIC and other organizations to help students complete their forms and receive the aid they need to attend college.
The PIC postsecondary team rose to the challenge. They hopped on numerous calls with students and parents to provide guidance and support.
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Updated Regional Planning Blueprint | |
Recently, the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Workforce Skills Cabinet relaunched a regional planning process to engage stakeholders, identify the critical labor supply gaps, and develop strategies to close these gaps. The Workforce Skills Cabinet is comprised of the Executive Offices of Economic Development, Education, Labor and Workforce Development, and Health and Human Services.
Together with the MassHire Metro North and the MassHire Metro South/West Workforce Boards, the PIC has updated the Greater Boston Regional Workforce Planning Blueprint with input from education, industry, and economic development partners.
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Mayor & Superintendent Welcome Students Back to School | |
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The day before the start of the 2024-2025 school year, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Superintendent Mary Skipper joined volunteers to welcome students back to school. Every year, volunteers from Boston Public Schools, the Boston Private Industry Council, and other partner organizations knock on the doors of students living in the Roxbury, Dorchester, and Jamaica Plain neighborhoods who struggle with attendance or have left school altogether.
Volunteers introduced students to the Re-Engagement Center, a partnership between BPS and the PIC that provides resources and support for those looking to return to school. The BPS Office of Opportunity Youth, which is working to reduce chronic absenteeism, partners with the Re-Engagement Center on both canvassing and follow-up with students. This year, over 50 volunteers joined the effort, reaching over 200 households. They also provided students with backpacks and gift cards to their choice of Stop & Shop, Marshall’s, or Tropical Foods.
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Exploring Early Childhood Education at East Boston Social Centers | Experience is truly hands-on for the three PIC interns at East Boston Social Centers, a nonprofit organization that provides programming for children and seniors in the East Boston neighborhood. With their days spent playing with dolls or calming finicky toddlers, these students are learning firsthand about the joys and challenges of early childhood education. | |
Liberty Mutual Goes All In on Summer Jobs | This summer, Liberty Mutual Insurance went all in on summer jobs. During Mayor Michelle Wu’s 2024 State of the City address, she guaranteed a summer job to every BPS high school student who wanted one. Liberty Mutual responded by expanding their support of summer jobs: not only would they hire interns to work in Liberty Mutual itself, but they also funded 100 CBO jobs. | | |
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Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined intern Tochukwu Njoku on his morning commute from Hyde Park to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The pair discussed Tochukwu’s experience as a summer intern, his upcoming freshman year at Yale, and—of course—public transportation.
If you haven't already seen it, make sure to watch the video!
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8th Annual BPS Attendance Symposium
September 26, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Bolling Building, 2300 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA
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Now in its eighth year, the BPS Attendance Symposium brings together school staff, community partners, and families to shed light on the importance of consistent attendance as critical to student success. This year's offering will lift up strategies that deepen student sense of belonging while activating family partnerships to strengthen school communities and improve student mental health. Join us on September 26 in the School Committee Room and let's make BPS a place where all students are present and thriving. | |
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BPS' Citywide College, Career, and STEM Fair
October 19, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont Street, Roxbury, MA
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As part of College and Career Month, the Citywide College, Career, and STEM Fair is an event that allows students to explore career and education opportunities in STEM. All BPS students and their families are welcome to attend. College and Career Month is held annually by Boston Public Schools in partnership with Success Boston and The Boston Foundation to prepare students and their families for the after-high-school planning process | |
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Massachusetts STEM Week
October 22 - 25, 2024
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Massachusetts STEM Week is an annual statewide event that takes place on the third week of October, organized by the Executive Office of Education and the STEM Advisory Council in partnership with the state’s nine Regional STEM Networks. STEM Week is a statewide effort to boost interest, awareness and the ability of all students to see themselves in STEM opportunities. Young women, students of color, English language learners, and students with disabilities continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields.
Keep an eye out for details on our website and social media. Contact Betsy Hamre for more information.
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The PIC is hiring:
- Employer Engagement Manager
- Postsecondary Career and Employment Specialist
- HOPE Forward Postsecondary Coach
- Career Specialist
Click here to learn how to join the PIC Team!
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The PIC’s workforce is racially and experientially diverse at all levels. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable categories protected by law. | |
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