Contact

Linda Schoffel
Coordinator, Rural Youth Services
(607) 272-2292 ext 141
ljs48@cornell.edu

Cornell Cooperative Extension
Tompkins County
615 Willow Avenue
Ithaca, NY 14850-3555
(607) 272-2292
tompkins@cornell.edu

Food For Thought

"No child on earth was ever meant to be ordinary, and you can see it in them, and they know it, too, but then the times get to them, and they wear out their brains learning what folks expect, and spend their strength trying to rise over those same folks." ~ Annie Dillard

"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again." ~ F.P. Jones

"It is impossible for anyone to begin to learn what he thinks he already knows." ~ Epictetus

"I'm not old enough to play baseball or football. I'm not eight yet. My mom told me when you start baseball, you aren't going to be able to run that fast because you had an operation. I told Mom I wouldn't need to run that fast. When I play baseball, I'll just hit them out of the park. Then I'll be able to walk." ~ Edward J. McGrath Jr.

"I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it."
Harry Truman

"The purpose of words is to convey ideas.  When the idea is grasped the words are forgotten.
Where can I find a man who has forgotten the words?  He is the one I would like to talk to." ~ Chua n Tzu

"If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders." ~ Abigail Van Buren

"Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers" ~ Voltaire

"The older you get, the more you learn to see what you've been taught to see. When you're a kid, you see what's there." ~ Steven Wright

"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places." ~ Earnest Hemingway

"The world is full of suffering. It is also full of the overcoming of it."   ~ Helen Keller

"Almost every man wastes part of his life in attempts to display qualities which he does not possess, and to gain applause which he cannot keep." ~ Dr. Samuel Johnson

"In great attempts it is glorious even to fail." ~ Vince Lombardi

"We are not retreating - we are advancing in another Direction" ~ General Douglas MacArthur

"Too many of us are hung up on what we don't have, can't have, or won't ever have. We spend too much energy being down, when we could use that same energy - if not less of it - doing, or at least trying to do, some of the things we really want to do." ~ Terry McMillan

"Not all who wander are lost." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

 "It is impossible for anyone to begin to learn what he thinks he already knows." ~ Epictetus

"It is as hard to see one's self as to look backward without turning around." ~ Henry David Thoreau

"If we are to reach real peace in this world... we shall have to begin with children." - Mahatma Gandhi

 

"The secret message communicated to most young people today by the society around them is that they are not needed, that the society will run itself quite nicely until they - at some distant point in the future - will take over the reigns. Yet the fact is that the society is not running itself nicely... because the rest of us need all the energy, brains, imagination and talent that young people can bring to bear down on our difficulties. For society to attempt to solve its desperate problems without the full participation of even very young people is imbecile." - Alvin Toffler

 

We are all creative, but by the time we are three of four years old, someone has knocked the creativity out of us. Some people shut up the kids who start to tell stories. Kids dance in their cribs, but someone will insist they sit still. By the time the creative people are ten or twelve, they want to be like everyone else." - Maya Angelou

  

"The young, free to act on their initiative, can lead their elders in the direction of the unknown... The children, the young, must ask the questions that we would never think to ask, but enough trust must be re-established so that the elders will be permitted to work with them on the answers." - Margaret Mead

                 

Home » Youth » Rural Youth Services » Youth Employment

Youth Employment

Youth Employment through RYS:

 Getting your first job is an exciting milestone for all young people and thinking about future careers is important during the teen years.  RYS offers opportunities to explore careers, to learn job skills for success, and to work at a first time job with support from a local Program Manager.

 Many RYS programs offer a chance to explore something new and to think about related careers.  Young people may be exploring the arts through ceramics or glass making; or visiting people who provide animal care through the SPCA or a farm that rehabilitates abused horses; or connecting with local town supervisors through community service.  Whatever the subject, RYS offers a chance to see people at work, to ask about their career paths and to see what it is like to work in their fields. 

 Youth might also be interested in joining a program where they learn and practice  job skills, like completing applications and interviewing.  Being prepared will put them ahead in the job seeking competition.

 And, in many RYS municipalities, we offer some first time supported job experiences in local jobs.  Youth might be placed in a job after school in the school office, the local library or the school bus garage.  Or they might work during the summer as a Teen Assistant in RYS programs, at a local camp, or on a local work crew doing projects in their home town.  Local Program Mangers monitor these first-time job experiences, working with the employer and the employee to offer constructive feedback from which the youth learns.  And, the young employee learns a lot about basic job skills and etiquette and has a job experience for their resume.

 In Danby, Groton and Trumansburg/Ulysses, youth employees run consignment produce stands at their local Farmers' Markets weekly throughout the summer.  Youth have instruction in food systems and nutrition, and prepare food samples to promote sales of currently plentiful produce.  They learn and practice marketing and selling, including presentation as they set up the stand, weighing and figuring costs and handling money.

 For information on job training or employment opportunities in your town, check the listing of current offerings and find out how to contact the Youth Community Educator for job information by clicking on your town at left.

Connect to Dryden Youth Employment Guide here.

 

 The Following is taken from the "Teen Services & Activities O.J. Guide in Tompkins County". 2010 edition

Jobs and Job Training

Usually, if you are under age 18 you must have working papers to get a job. Pick up working papers in the nurse's office of the high school in your district, whether or not you attend the school. Most schools will help you fill out the working papers. You will need your parent's written permission, proof of age and a certification of physical fitness. To get a job, you will also need a Social Security number. Call 256-0307, 256-3651 or 1-800-772-1213 or go to the Social Security Office (127 W. State St. 2nd floor, Ithaca) to apply for one. Forms are available electronically at www.ssa.gov.312 build your skills ! Minimum wage can vary depending on the job. For example minimum wage may be less if you are working in restaurant and receiving tips. Some employers are allowed by law to pay a "Training wage" to youth under age 20 for the first 90 days of employment. If you are not sure that you are receiving fair pay for the work that you are doing, contact the New York State Department of Wages and Hours (1-800-HIRE-992). More information is available at www.labor.state.ny.us/agencyinfo/minwage_home.shtm.  If you are not able to find a job, one good way to build your experience is to do volunteer work in the community. This can often lead to employment. (See "Community Service and Leadership Opportunities" section on page 5)

National GED Information Hotline  1-800-626-9433

Job Corps  1-800-733-5627

Alternatives Federal Credit Union, Student Credit Union 125 N. Fulton St., Ithaca . . . 216-3429  (School branches located at IHS, Boynton, LACS, plus 5 elementary schools) 8 Teenagers are trained as credit union tellers and operate school branches. Students can save, make withdrawals and cash checks at school. Savings accounts receive a higher dividend rate than adult accounts. Program provides financial education and services for checking, VISA/debit cards, and credit building loans for personal or small business use. Free if parents are federal credit union members, otherwise $2.00 fee.  www.alternatives.org,  scu@alternatives.org

Babysitter's Training, American Red Cross See "Licenses and Certifications" section on page 34

 BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) 555 Warren Rd., Ithaca . . .257-1551

*Job information, educational training, job development, career counseling www.tstboces.org

Carpenters Local 281 181 Industrial Park Rd., Horseheads . . . 739-4685

* Journeyman carpenters, apprenticeship program; must be 18+ years of age and have H.S. diploma or GED www.empirestatecarpenters.org/index.htm        j.schenck@verizon.net

Challenge Industries  See listing in "Disabilities" section on page 55

College NOW, TC3  PO Box 139, 170 N. St., Dryden . . . 844-8222 x 4311

* Concurrent Enrollment - courses being taught at the high school BOCES program that are certified college courses; college credits earned at no cost to school or student

*College Now Online - high school juniors and seniors are eligible to take any online course for a reduced tuition of $50 per credit hour

*Tech Prep - supports career and technical education  www.TC3.edu/collegenow collegenow@tc3.edu


Community & Career Exploration & Apprenticeship Program (CCEAP), The Learning Web 

515 W. Seneca St., Ithaca . . . 275-0122

*Career exploration tours, job shadowing, community service projects

*Job training

*Volunteer and paid apprenticeships for eligible youth; free  www.learning-web.org

Job LINK, Tompkins Workforce New York  171 E. State St., Suite #241, Ithaca . . . 272-7570 x 169

* Educational, employment and training services for youth 16-21 who are still in school, have dropped out or have graduated and need help finding work; services include employment preparation, workshops, job search assistance, paid and unpaid work experiences, tutoring, study skills training and mentoring; must meet eligibility guidelines. 

 * Customer service and sales training center: classes and workshops on customer service and other workplace topics, all ages; contact for schedule and details

 *National certification on customer service offered  www.tompkinsworkforceny.org firststop@tompkins-co.org

JOBS Program, Employment Unit, Department of Social Services  320 W. State St., Ithaca . . . 274-5294

* Training and employment for youth on temporary assistance. . .  272-2292

 Lifeguard Training, American Red Cross

 See "Licenses and Certifications" section on page 34

 Local Employment Opportunities  Job training and employment for teens:  Caroline, Danby, Dryden, Enfield, Groton, Lansing, Trumansburg/Ulysses  Coordinated by local commissions/community councils through Cornell Cooperative  Extension, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca  www.ccetompkins.org tompkins@cornell.edu15 Willow Ave., Ithaca . . . 272-2292

City of Ithaca. . .273-8364  coordinated by Ithaca Youth Bureau, 1 James L. Gibbs Dr., Ithaca  www.ithacayouthbureau.org

Newfield. . . .564-9981

Town of Ithaca. . . 273-1721 x 316

Money Works, Cornell Cooperative Extension  6

*Classes teach how to select an appropriate bank or credit union, successfully manage your checking and savings, set financial goals, track spending, and develop and implement a spending plan www.ccetompkins.org tompkins@cornell.edu

Plumbers-Steamfitters Local 267  701 W. State St., Ithaca . . .272-8586 or 1-800-635-0336 x 203

* Journeyman plumbers or pipe fitters, apprenticeship program, must have H.S. diploma or GED and be 18+ years of age  www.ualocal267.org   pfingland@ualocal267.org

Student Work Initiative, Town of Ithaca  215 N. Tioga St., Ithaca . . . 273-1721 x 136  Contact Person: Recreation Youth Coordinator

* Point of contact for youth to learn about available employment opportunities in Town of Ithaca

*Coaching, mentoring, and training on interviewing, r廥um?writing, and job searching is included; no fee

 MKirchgessner@town.ithaca.ny.us

Summer Jobs

 *For a list of summer job programs updated each year, call the Tompkins County Youth  Services Dept. at 274-5310

www.tompkins-co.org/youth       youthservices@tompkins-co.org

Tompkins Workforce New York  171 E. State St. #241 (Center Ithaca, 2nd floor), Ithaca 272-7570 x 118

* Job search assistance, career resource library, and cover letter assistance, computerized job matching, on-site employer recruiting, workshops, training and linkages to apprenticeships, appropriate referrals, information and employment options available to all ages seeking employment

 * On-site computer, faxing, copying for employment search available  www.tompkinsworkforceny.org firststop@tompkins-co.org

Vocational Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) 171 E. State St. Suite 206, Ithaca . . . . 734-5294 or 1-800-888-5020 Contact: Karen Edwards

* Job counseling, training and placement for persons with disabilities; free  www.vesid.nysed.gov/southerntier  kedward2@mail.nysed.gov

Youth Employment Service (Y.E.S.), Ithaca Youth Bureau 1 James L. Gibbs Drive, Ithaca . . . . . .273-8364

* Free, friendly job referral network for Tompkins County teens, age 14 and up; help with finding part-time and full-time jobs or short-term jobs, increasing your chances of getting the job you want; other employment opportunities may be available from time to time, special paid summer job programs available each year www.ithacayouthbureau.org  yes@cityofithaca.org

 Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program Cornell Cooperative Extension 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca . . .272-2292

*Program provides training and employment for youth ages 14-18 in gardening, landscaping and basic sciences and involves youth in community beautification. This program is located at the Ithaca Children's Garden http://ccetompkins.org/ithacachildrensgarden/programs_yhap.html       ithacachildrensgarden@cornell.edu

Last Updated: April 22, 2010