Steering Youth To Brighter Futures
MODELING A SCIENCE CAREER BY MENTORING STUDENTS An employee of Janssen Ireland, Patrick McCarthy takes time out to mentor students like Ross and Eric, participants in Junior Achievement enterprise programs. Designed to encourage young people to stay in school and complete their education, these programs help teenagers raise their self-esteem and set goals for the future while providing them with enterprise skills and personal development. The mentoring relationship that employees establish also exposes the students to a variety of careers in science and pharmaceuticals.
This story first appeared in the Johnson & Johnson 2010 Contributions Report.
In 1992, Johnson & Johnson launched the Bridge to Employment (BTE) initiative to encourage and assist young people from disadvantaged communities with educational opportunities that promote a higher level of academic progression. The program also helps them build their futures by introducing them to a broad array of careers in health care.
Over the last 19 years, 34 BTE sites have been established in communities throughout the United States, Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe. “Through BTE, Johnson & Johnson can give back to the community, as well as establish and promote sustainable partnerships and educational policies that impact communities long-term,” says Michael Bzdak, Director, Corporate Contributions, Johnson & Johnson.
The first international program was launched in Cork, Ireland, in 2005. Initially funded by Corporate Contributions, it is sustained by Centocor Biologics, DePuy and Janssen Pharmaceutica. Currently 175 students from three schools in Cork participate.
“It is probably one of the most successful programs we have ever participated in,” says Tony Walsh, Principal, Mayfield Community School in Cork. “It is creating a direct link between industry and our students. It has definitely improved their incentive to work hard at school and do well in the examinations.”
Each partnership includes a local Johnson & Johnson operating company, a high school or institution of higher education, and a community organization. By motivating students to stay in school and encouraging them to achieve their full academic potential, BTE aims to inspire students to elevate their career aspirations, along with building their confidence, self-esteem, self-discipline and interpersonal skills.
“Since I started the BTE program two years ago, I have gained confidence, learned presentation and teamwork skills, and observed and practiced health and safety skills,” says Chole McDaid, a student in Livingston, Scotland. “This was a result of my great working relationships with the employees at Ethicon.”
Led by Johnson & Johnson Medical Ltd., Ethicon, Inc., and West Lothian College, the BTE program in Livingston established a Health Academy at Inveralmond Community High School in 2007. To date, more than 50 students have graduated from the program, working with Johnson & Johnson employees over a two-year period and completing nine 40-hour units.
“This is just the kind of partnership working I would encourage schools and colleges across Scotland to take forward as we prepare young Scots for life in the 21st century,” says Keith Brown, Scotland’s Minister for Schools and Skills. The curriculum, which was accredited by the Scottish Qualifying Authority, is now available to all local school entities in Scotland.
“Visiting programs and meeting with the people we help reminds me of why I go to work. I know that, through our actions, I am helping to improve a cause, to give people better information or open a brighter future for a child,” says Virginie Delwart, Director, Corporate Contributions, Europe
Learn More:
2010 Contributions Report
Junior Achievement Program
Bridge to Employment Program
