POPS Inc. prepares selected high school students to become an asset in the workplace and the community

“There is gold in every child. Some just need more polishing than others.”

Those are the words of Dwight Mitchell, who is executive director of Professional Opportunities Program for Students, Inc. (POPS), a non-profit, 501(c) (3) community-based organization that provides educational, life and workforce developmental skills, and paid internships for high school students between the ages of 16-18.

 

“The objective of POPS is to motivate a culturally diverse group of students to complete their high school education and prepare them for future success,” Mitchell said. “We are creating new leaders in the community, preparing them to be an asset in the workplace and the community.”

 

When POPS was founded in 2001, it exclusively offered summer internships. This is the first year that the Orlando-based organization provides year-round programs for its students. Currently, there are 200 students in the program, most of which attend Jones, Evans, Oak Ridge and Dr Phillips high schools.

There are guidelines students must meet to become part of POPS. They must be between 16 and 18, enrolled in a public or alternative high school, and live in Orange or Osceola County. Prospective members also must be drug free and receive a recommendation from their high school counselor, minister or a community leader. Admission requirements also include signing a contract to meet all program expectations (such as maintaining a minimum 2.0 grade point average and staying out of trouble at school and in public).

A key part of getting selected to participate in POPS involves the writing of a one-page essay that describes why the students should be chosen, what they expect to gain from the experience and how will they apply that knowledge, and what they believe they can contribute to the program. Parents must sign a contract stipulating that they will attend a minimum of three parent/teacher conferences and ensure that their child will report to work on time, attend school regularly and be present at all POPS-sponsored workshops.

“In our society, children face many temptations and potential obstacles. POPS gives them an alternative to being on the streets after school and during the summer when it’s easy for them to hang out and get into trouble,” said Toney Smith, who is the community coordinator for POPS. “The year-round program gives us enough time to mold the children, help them grow and better prepare them for life when they graduate from high school.”

 

Job skills readiness is a vital element of POPS. Students complete seven workshops that prepare them to work in a professional office environment. These workshops involve financial management, presentation skills, dressing for success, writing resumes and preparing for job interviews, health awareness, a leadership course and behavior modification training (which includes how to work in a team setting).

 

POPS organizes an Emerging Business Tour, a one-day event that exposes students to Orlando-area businesses that are entrepreneur driven. Business leaders talk to the POPS members about the challenges and rewards of business ownership. When students are accepted into POPS, they are given a career assessment to determine what line of work for which they are best suited. The career assessment, and the Emerging Business Tour, helps the organization place each student in the most appropriate summer internship. POPS recruits businesses for the internship program and pays the wages.

 

“Most students do not make the correlation of how succeeding in school today will help them achieve their ambitions for the future,” Mitchell explained. “The career assessment allows us to gauge their interests, and the Emerging Business Tour gives students a chance to gain a better understanding of different careers.

 

“The benefit extends beyond learning more about a particular profession, though,” Mitchell added. “Students get inspired, and they realize that if they want to become a success in a career down the road, they need to focus on excelling in the classroom right now so they can get an advanced education that will allow them to achieve their respective dream.”

 

POPS also sends students to the leadership and careers portion of the Disney Y.E.S. program. In addition, there is a college tour, which is set for March 5 and includes visits to Florida State University, Florida A&M University, the University of Tampa and the University of Florida.

 

On April 25, POPS will host a Teen Summit, which will include a job fair and appearances from yet-to-be-determined celebrity speakers.

 

To qualify for participation in the Emerging Business Tour, the Disney Y.E.S. program and the Teen Summit, students must meet performance benchmarks established by the organization.

 

All of the workshops and special events are designed to inspire POPS members to become better students and citizens. As part of the program, students volunteer at charitable organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank and the Salvation Army. 

 

POPS recognizes that “the whole child” needs polishing to prepare them for a successful life in the workplace and in the community. This is why the organization involves community leaders, business mentors and counselors in the program. In fact, every POPS member receives one-on-one counseling to help with their academic and personal lives. Many of the students live in one-parent households.

 

“Kids are kids, regardless of their background. With proper training, guidance and support, they can be inspired to set goals and achieve them,” Mitchell said. “Through their experience with POPS, we believe these students will become successful businesspeople and citizens, and set positive examples for the generations that follow.”