Incoming Van Nuys High School Senior Tyler Chiu has been announced as one of five Los Angeles high school juniors and seniors selected for the Bank of America Student Leaders® program (#BofAStudentLeaders), an eight-week paid summer internship providing students with first-hand experience in serving their communities.
Chiu, from Porter Ranch, co-launched a program called Money 101 in June 2022 to teach other youth in the San Fernando Valley financial literacy skills. So far, the program has reached over 2,000 classmates. He also created a technology club that is developing a drone that could help increase plant pollination.
As part of the program, Chiu and the other four students will develop leadership and practical workforce skills while working with local nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity of the San Gabriel Valley and the Discovery Cube of Los Angeles, all while earning $17 per hour.
With changing economic environments and a shifting job market in the greater Los Angeles area, young people need access to workforce experience and career skills-building opportunities. The private sector has a role to play to help better position and support young adults be successful in today’s workforce.
Along with the Student Leaders program, Bank of America is connecting more than 400 teens and young adults to paid jobs and internships across the Greater Los Angeles region either through job-development programs, such as with Los Angeles mayor’s office, through nonprofit organizations or directly at financial centers. Nationally, Bank of America has invested nearly $44 million since 2011 in support of summer jobs for over 27,000 low-income youth in more than 80 communities.
“By providing the pathways and resources for young adults to gain the foundational work skills and leadership experience they need to succeed, we are investing in Los Angeles’ long-term economic growth,” said Raul A. Anaya, president, Bank of America Greater Los Angeles. “The teens selected for this year’s program are truly extraordinary and already are inspiring their classmates to higher levels of achievement and community involvement. The Student Leaders program is just one example of how we connect people to meaningful employment resources while also instilling the importance of giving back to your community.”
Later this summer, Student Leaders will travel to Washington D.C. for a week-long, all expenses paid, national leadership summit focused on the power of cross-sector collaboration and community advocacy. At the first in-person Summit since 2019, Student Leaders from across the nation will discuss the importance of civic engagement and meet with members of Congress.