Ramsey County recently embraced a cohort of 35 interns through Saint Paul's Right Track initiative, a program designed to nurture young talent by providing professional development and firsthand work experience to youth aged 14-21. Right Track serves as a gateway for these interns to explore 22 varied domains of county operations, ranging from Policy & Planning, Libraries, to Mental Health Crisis Services, and even Urban Farming, Ramsey County reports.
The county's investment in the futures of its youth, keenly felt through the Right Track program, understands that providing such opportunities can address the educational and employment gap in communities burdened by costs. Particularly, high school interns are delving into Veterans Services, the County Attorney’s Office, and various other departments, gaining valuable insights and skills which will aid in propelling them towards personal and professional growth.
In a continued effort to foster a diverse and inclusive future workforce, Ramsey County has widened Right Track's reach by extending it to suburban areas, incorporating 40 extra internships in burgeoning fields like education and culinary arts. The initiative, fortified by funds from the Minnesota Youth Program and the American Rescue Plan Act, reflects a tacit acknowledgment that early career exposure can be pivotal in helping young adults chart a course that aligns with their passions.
Local employers such as Roseville Area Schools and Urban Roots have joined forces with Ramsey County in this expansion, providing critical on-the-ground learning experiences that not only benefit the students but also the broader community. Churchill Street Restaurant and The Sanneh Foundation are a few of the local entities that are investing in the region's youth by offering their expertise and guidance — an investment that is expected to yield a multiplicity of dividends in the form of a dynamic, skilled future workforce.
