Inspiring the Next Generation of Public Servants

On May 24, NYCHA’s Operations Support Services hosted a tour of its Long Island City offices for a group of high school students. The tour, conducted in partnership with non-profit organization PENCIL, was part of a pre-employment training session for the students – who are interested in pursuing careers in public service. 

This summer, the students will work as interns with different City agencies as part of the Ladders for Leaders Summer Youth Employment Program. The NYCHA tour was an opportunity for them to learn about the various careers available at the Authority.  

Keith Grossman, Executive Vice President for Operations Support Services, welcomed the students and encouraged them to pursue a career in public service. Tischelle George, Senior Director of Knowledge Management and Training, gave the students an overview of the Operations Support Services department. This was followed by a tour of the Elevator Training Center, the Heat Desk (where staff can remotely monitor heat service at multiple developments simultaneously), the Waste Management Department’s compactor room, and the Emergency Management Services and Pest Management departments. 

Among the group of about 20 students on the tour was 18-year-old Choice Goodwin, who starts college this fall. The High School for Language and Diplomacy graduate decided to join the tour since she already knew people who worked at NYCHA developments and wanted to learn more about the Authority. 

An aspiring psychology major, she plans to work with NYCHA after college, explaining that the tour showed her that “psychology could really make a difference in what people can do.” As far as her main takeaway from the tour, she said: “I learned about the more efficient ways NYCHA connects to sanitation and how garbage affects playgrounds and houses. Also, [I learned] about how concerned NYCHA workers are about the sustainability of the homes for the people living in them.” 

She was not the only student who was engaged by NYCHA’s work during the tour. Another student, Jonathan Blair, expressed interest in becoming an exterminator.

“Hosting the next generation of public service professionals is a great way to showcase the talent of NYCHA employees and to help elevate the image of the agency,” said Tischelle George, Senior Director of Knowledge Management and Training. “There’s so much more to NYCHA than what is reported in the news. We’re grateful to partner with PENCIL, the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, and each Support Services department to provide experiential learning opportunities to NYC high school students.”  

“PENCIL is excited to be a partner in helping young people in the city see exciting possibilities for personally fulfilling and family-sustaining careers within government agencies that impact their daily lives,” said Hannah Chan, Senior Program Manager at PENCIL. “As a result of PENCIL’s work, hundreds of high school students across NYC will experience high-quality summer employment at City agencies. These young people are part of the nearly 10,000 students PENCIL will reach this year in our programs designed to provide equitable access to success.”