From Dreams to Careers: Pasadena Summit Opens Doors for LA County Youth

COMMUNITY — For young people thinking about their futures, choosing a career can be difficult when they have little opportunity to meet the people doing the work. A youth summit in Pasadena offered a chance to make those connections—and learn what a first step might look like.

Young people from across Los Angeles County gathered at the Maxwell House on October 17 for The Laurel Foundation’s annual Dream It. Do It. Youth Career Summit, exploring careers in healthcare, construction, technology and entrepreneurship.

The program combined career introductions with practical guidance on building a professional network, identifying personal strengths and preparing for internships and first jobs.

“Every young person in Los Angeles County deserves to picture a bright future and to meet the people who can help them build it,” said Margot Anderson, founder and CEO of The Laurel Foundation. “Dream It. Do It. is about turning big ideas into first steps.”

Finding a Place in the Workforce

Misha Haramia, president of PFLAG Ventura, opened the summit with a keynote focused on identity, belonging and support. The message helped frame the day’s discussions: planning a future includes understanding who you are and finding people who will support your goals.

For young people entering the workforce, those connections can provide a starting point for exploring unfamiliar careers and asking questions about how to get there.

Exploring Healthcare, Construction and Technology

Representatives from SEIU-UHW Los Angeles introduced participants to the range of jobs that keep hospitals and clinics operating. The session explored healthcare career options and training pathways, giving students a broader view of opportunities within the field.

Linda Valencia of Harris & Associates, who also serves as vice president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction, discussed careers in construction and infrastructure. She highlighted opportunities for young people, including young women, to enter and advance in those industries.

Entrepreneurship was another focus. Ines Nasri of WebPower USA LLC demonstrated how artificial intelligence tools can help aspiring business owners develop an idea and take initial steps toward launching a business. The session explored how young people with limited resources might use those tools to get started.

Practical Tools for Getting Started

Career exploration also requires knowing how to introduce yourself to potential employers.

City National Bank led a session on networking and using LinkedIn to pursue summer internships and first jobs. Participants received guidance on creating a professional profile and protecting their safety while developing an online presence.

Dr. Shindale Seale of SEADE Coaching and Consulting encouraged students to begin with their own abilities. Her session focused on recognizing personal strengths and considering how those strengths could translate into career choices.

Together, the workshops connected longer-term ambitions with immediate tasks: explore a training program, build a profile, reach out to a professional or identify a skill worth developing.

Turning Interest Into a Next Step

The summit brought professionals from several industries into one setting, giving participants opportunities to ask questions, make connections and consider paths they might not previously have explored.

For The Laurel Foundation, the event extended its work supporting young people into the practical challenges of preparing for employment and adult life.

The foundation is a nonprofit organization providing free mental health and social support programs for youth. It has offered youth development and leadership programs for more than 33 years.

For information about its programs and future events, visit Laurel-Foundation.org or email Info@Laurel-Foundation.org.

(Margot Anderson is the founder and CEO of The Laurel Foundation, which organized the Dream It. Do It. Youth Career Summit.)