Work-Based Learning Educator/Coordinator

Work-Based Learning Educator/Coordinator

THE POSSIBLE ZONE

BOSTON, MA

TPZ seeks a Work-Based Learning Educator/Coordinator to facilitate career-focused learning experiences for high school students. This is an opportunity for a professional possessing significant experience in business or a successful venture, to apply that experience and career knowledge to an educational role serving high school students as they embark on career explorations.  TPZ’s Consultancies and external on-site internships are strong vehicles for workforce readiness and development. Consultancies are a semester-long experience culminating in a proposal to address an opportunity or problem for an organization, via a formal presentation to that organization for consideration. External internships require guidance from this Coordinator as they work in an authentic company or institution. This role is in-person and based in our Boston Innovation Center.

ABOUT THE POSSIBLE ZONE:

What if all young people could follow their dreams? What if they had the opportunity to design and launch a company or social venture they were passionate about? What if they knew what an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, industrial designer, data scientist, marketing executive, electrical engineer, biotech researcher, advanced manufacturer, roboticist, game designer, journalist, nonprofit leader, or mayor does and why? What if they were empowered to intern in these positions and work settings while still in high school? And what if they had the chance to learn the foundational professional and technical skills needed to succeed in any of these careers? And very importantly, what if they develop a mindset, where their imagination and creativity can be fully explored, where everything is possible, and where no boundaries exist? Would young people believe they could pursue these careers or any others they choose? Would they become what they had dreamed? 

At The Possible Zone, our resounding answer is YES! We are on a journey to develop a transformative model and facility in the heart of Boston’s most diverse and youth-populated communities.

TPZ is an 11-year-old nonprofit organization that has served well over 1,000 students with programming, internships, and advisory services during high school toward the mission of economic equity. Our program has demonstrated a strong impact in terms of high school graduation, matriculation into postsecondary education and careers, and strong social-emotional learning and identity development. As we further expand into Boston, TPZ’s programming will catalyze a Boston Community Ecosystem that will include students, parents, high schools, community organizations, large corporations, local entrepreneurs, technology companies, venture capitalists, and postsecondary education institutions. We intend to join and continue to enhance a student ecosystem in Jackson Square and surrounding communities that are similar to those that have emerged in other Greater Boston areas such as Kendall Square and the Seaport District. Collectively we will dream, learn, work, and ultimately create leadership opportunities for economic mobility and prosperity for our students and their surrounding community. Importantly, TPZ is highly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. And as we establish success in our Boston Headquarters, we will scale our efforts to replicate TPZ’s blueprint at a national level. 

We envision a program and space that serves tens of thousands of students over the next decade(s). When a student enters the program, they will be

… greeted, coached, taught, counseled, and supported by highly trained, caring staff and partners in entrepreneurship and business, leadership and team building, passion and perseverance, learning and accountability, and empathy and integrity.

… challenged to pursue their passions and launch ventures in everything from electronics, software, digital media, services, fashion, food, and to consumer goods

… equipped with the life skills essential to thrive in the emerging economy

… building social networks through connection to professional mentoring and internships with hundreds of local companies

… supported when needed through wrap-around services in academic tutoring, ESL, mental health, food security, and college success by partner organizations 

Ultimately, through their experiences and growth at TPZ, and with our partners, our students will be prepared and inspired to attend college, and alternative postsecondary education and launch careers in their community, where they will pursue their passions in business, STEAM, community, and entrepreneurial organizations.

Our students - all students - deserve to live their lives as much as possible.

TPZ is in its second decade of operations; having served well over 1,000 students in the greater Boston area the organization has launched a 36,000 sq. ft. Innovation Center that can serve up to 1,000 students annually. The organization employs 35 professionals with plans to grow significantly in Boston over the next three years, as well as in other cities beyond 2025. TPZ offers a strong professional development ethos; a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture, an innovative curriculum and pedagogy, and a commitment to excellence and student impact. 

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The ideal candidate is a business professional or entrepreneur who has worked in a functional(s) area and has had experience in bringing projects to senior decision-makers for approval by harnessing the creativity of a group. Additional scope includes Career Days and Deep Dives. Ideally, this person has experience training or educating younger populations within a work environment, school, or a non-profit, providing guidance and learning opportunities in the process. This is a primarily in-person role (with occasional hybrid opportunities) based in our Boston Innovation Center.

This critical position reports to a Senior Director of Career and College Pathways, who brings 10 years of experience in career and workforce development. Additionally, the department houses a Senior Director of College Access with 15 years of experience. Together, this department will support our students in mapping their pathway to success and economic equity.  

The Possible Zone (TPZ) is looking for a WBL Educator / Coordinator to facilitate career-focused learning experiences for high school students, including:

1. TPZ's high school WBL program, which includes:
   1. a 12-week project consultancy in which small groups of students engage with industry partners to execute on an authentic problem of practice and produce a product/service 
   2. internship placement through Boston’s Private Industry Council (PIC), TPZ partners, and other local internship opportunities 
   3. a bi-annual one-day career event that brings together local businesses, entrepreneurs, community, and young people to explore career opportunities
   4. planning and facilitating career deep dives, focused on career exploration and career readiness skills 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 WBL:

• Facilitate WBL Consultancy experiences in which students create a product (e.g.: a social media strategy and campaign) for an external industry partner; engage with and liaison with WBL partners 
• Facilitate summer internship cohort meetings
• Organize and lead large-scale career development events, and career deep dives 

• Collect and analyze data with TPZ’s Evaluation & Learning and Program teams to understand the impact of TPZ’s program on students’ matriculation and career pathways
• Facilitate and teach career, internship, and consult classes 

Success Indicators:

1. Prep for and teach WBL consultancy and internship classes; retain all WBL students and support students in developing their Pathways Plan
2. Organize and execute large-scale career exploration day(s), and smaller-scale career deep dives 
3. Strengthen relationships with external internship partners 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 7-10 years of work experience
• 5-7 years of experience in a business or successful venture, with functional expertise such as Marketing, Sales, Consulting, Operations 
• 2-3 years of educational experience: training, work-based learning, career transition support, or teaching either within a school, work-based learning program, business or non-profit
• Exposure to project-based leadership, and presenting work in a professional manner 
• Strong desire to work with HS students in exploring their careers
• Demonstrated experience leveraging partnerships to support young people or experience in managing partner relationships in business or venture
• Understanding of competency-based learning and desire to build additional teaching skills
• Skills to build strong relationships with external partners

General Experience: 

• Possess an Entrepreneurial Mindset and comfortable with high growth and Change Management
• Sensitivity to and understanding of the needs of young people, particularly those who are underserved, recent immigrants, and/or face barriers to success; and a commitment to providing them with the tools needed to overcome these barriers
• Highly organized, action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative;
• A team player with a sincere interest to work collaboratively with an energized, committed and creative team
• Ability to anticipate and identify problems putting forward solutions that are creative, innovative, and flexible
• A commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in all activities (see Statement below)

Compensation & Benefits:

The Possible Zone offers a robust compensation and benefits package including high-quality health benefits and an employer contribution to your 401(k) plan.

DEI Statement:

We believe every member of our team and student body deserves opportunities for growth, success, and inclusion. We recognize that for many of our students, staff, and communities, their life journeys run through oppressive structures and systems (e.g. classism, racism, sexism) — and that’s what makes our organizational culture and work so necessary and important.

We believe that diversity in perspective, backgrounds, ethnicities, and lived experience is a strength, and from that strength, we can accomplish great things with the students we serve. Together as students, staff, organizations, communities, volunteers, and partners, we are intentional about creating safe spaces where all members can speak authentically and be themselves.

We are committed to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. As members of The Possible Zone community, our progression along this ongoing journey raises thoughtful questions, reveals biases, and opens conversations. We celebrate one another and are unified in our commitment to young people, excellence, and innovation. This work is our shared responsibility and our opportunity to welcome all members who share in our mission and strive to provide pathways that further prepare students in achieving their desired success.

COVID Vaccination Policy

The Possible Zone is requiring that all employees receive a primary series of COVID-19 vaccination as well as a booster dose. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen, and receives a booster dose when eligible. To be qualified for employment at The Possible Zone, final candidates must comply with the vaccination requirement or receive an approved exemption.