Opportunities for Students with Jair Lynch & Urban Alliance
The workforce is experiencing a generational shift. As of today, there are 5 generations operating in the workforce, going as far back as 1928.1 Each generation seeks to satisfy different goals and priorities, and the youngest generation is entering the workforce with aspirations of finding careers that align with their personal values. With 5 generations combining in the workforce and a massive change in the ‘corporate’ environment post-pandemic, the transition for younger people to enter the workplace has been challenging for many fields, including commercial real estate.
In recent years, societal norms and policies have changed, the workforce has become more diverse, and technology has exponentially grown in its capabilities to allow for more remote work and enhanced productivity with the support of artificial intelligence. As developers, we at Jair Lynch believe we must play a role in breaking down barriers to entry for young people interested in commercial real estate. One way we can accomplish this is by partnering with organizations pursuing the same goal. Enter: Urban Alliance.
A Fresh Generation
With a fresh new generation approaching the workforce, we believe in offering opportunities for young people to learn from experienced professionals, ultimately teaching them how to succeed within their fields; to contribute to their teams, put in meaningful work, and become leaders in their communities.
This year, Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners is expanding their partnership with the national non-profit organization, Urban Alliance (UA), to host several summer internships with alumni of UA’s High School Internship Program (HSIP). The internships will range from corporate marketing & communications to property management and leasing, and will provide students with six weeks of real-world work experience to focus on developing soft and hard skills.
“I Believe in the Urban Alliance”
Founded in 1996, Urban Alliance has made student success their priority. For 25+ years, Urban Alliance has given high school students paid opportunities to gain invaluable experience in the workforce. With their vast amount of fields to choose from, students can ensure that they can earn rewarding experiences in the fields of their interest, including commercial real estate.
The Urban Institute, in an evaluation published last year, has found that interns significantly benefited from the program in their job comfort & skills.2
Through this impactful work, they have consistently maintained their goal of student success. With over 200 employers & figures like Barack Obama stating “I believe in the Urban Alliance”,3 Urban Alliance has proven its skills in preparing the new generation.
At Jair Lynch, we believe that a key role in a healthy economy is fostering young talent.
Jair Lynch has had the opportunity to support Urban Alliance’s mission since 2020, supporting young men and women to find their footing within the world of real estate. We have helped the non-profit change these students’ lives with their Property Management Pathway.
The program balances between learning soft and hard skills for their field.
During the program, interns are given hands-on experience working in their industry and getting used to the office culture, work, and technologies used. Additionally, interns are given weekly training for soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and how to succeed alongside their peers in the workforce.
Interns work with a selected mentor to personally guide them through the ins and outs of the industry. Alongside this, they acquire an Urban Alliance manager who leads the weekly training, helps both interns and organizations work through their goals, and supports interns who seek additional guidance.
About me
Hello! I am Abdi Tolessa, and I am fortunate to be working with Jair Lynch through Urban Alliance’s Alumni Internship for the summer, and this is my first blog post!
I have been working with Urban Alliance for two years now, starting my career with their World Bank program. During that time, I gained hands-on experience with new technology and software that completely opened my eyes to the vast opportunities in my field of interest, computer science. Ever since that formative experience, I have been a proud Urban Alliance alumni, finding ways to apply myself in ways I haven’t thought of before.
If you are interested in following my summer internship journey, please follow my summer blog series for Jair Lynch. I also invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn.
To learn more about Urban Alliance and ways you can get involved, visit their website at www.urbanalliance.org.
Sources:
1: Gen Z In The Workplace: How Should Companies Adapt? (Vibha Sathesh Kumar, Johns Hopkins University)
2: Evaluation of the Urban Alliance High School Internship Program (Urban Institute)3: Urban Alliance’s 25th Anniversary Event (Urban Alliance)
