“We help [high school students] connect to industry professionals and essentially have them working as consultants to the business and nonprofit communities as a way of them exploring what’s out there for them – work opportunities, career opportunities – so they can try things out and rule things out before they get out into postsecondary or into the workforce,” says Corey Mohn, president and executive director, CAPS Network.

WorkingNation sat down with Mohn at JFF Horizons in New Orleans.

He says, “When you break down the walls of the classroom, of the learning space, you connect learners to those out in the world who are doing really interesting things and authentic things –and not only showing them what’s out there, but actually letting them roll their sleeves up and do the real work.”

Regarding employers, Mohn says, “What we’ve observed is this snowball rolling down the hill. An employer gets engaged. They’re not exactly sure what this program is. They’re curious.”

“We step them into a process where they do some mentoring or some guest instruction, then they take on a project. What happens is they’re highly impressed by what the students have created for them. They enjoy the process of working with young people. They see the talent that’s there.”

Mohn says the typical CAPS student is between the ages of 16 and 18 – and comes from different types of schools including public, charters, private, parochial schools, and students who are homeschooled.

Learn more about the CAPS Network.