When a group of Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston teens first walked into Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts this summer, many had never set foot inside a corporate office. There was a buzz of energy — part nervousness, part excitement — as they prepared to begin a six-week journey that would change the way they saw themselves and their futures.
This was the start of a new partnership between BGCB’s Ready to Work program and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA). The goal was simple yet ambitious: give young people the tools, exposure, and confidence to step into the workforce as capable, motivated leaders.
The first sessions focused on self-discovery, using the High 5 strengths assessment to help teens uncover what made them unique. From there, they practiced elevator pitches, built their first resumes, and learned how to read job descriptions with a critical eye.
As the weeks unfolded, the transformation was visible. What began as tentative introductions grew into confident exchanges. Teens asked honest questions of BCBSMA’s college interns about first jobs, mistakes, and lessons learned. They rolled up their sleeves for a community service project, and by the final week, they sat across from BCBSMA professionals in mock interviews, ready to put everything they had learned into action.
Monica Caley, Early Career Talent & Employer Branding Program Manager at BCBSMA, described the shift she witnessed:
“In just five sessions, I was blown away by the incredible confidence the students gained in themselves and in their skills. Most had never been inside a corporate office before and were understandably nervous, but their eagerness to learn was infectious. Their confidence grew with every session, which we got to see first-hand through their mock interviews and networking activities.”
By the end of the summer, every participant left with a polished resume, a practiced pitch, and the experience of networking with industry professionals. But the true impact was bigger: teens walked away with clarity, confidence, and the belief that they belonged in professional spaces.
For BCBSMA, this partnership was not just about a summer program. It was about investing in the city’s future workforce. As Monica put it:
“Young people are future leaders. Workforce readiness programs give teens an early look at real work, helping them build skills, confidence, and explore career options. For companies like us, investing in these programs creates a pipeline of motivated, prepared talent who already understand our industry and culture before they start.”
This partnership proved what’s possible when corporations and community organizations come together: opportunity is no longer a distant idea — it becomes real, tangible, and within reach for every young person.
Curious to learn more about BGCB? Learn more and get involved today.
