Building Bright Futures: Governor’s Summer Job Hunt Boot Camp Empowers Young Job Seekers 

From June 2 to June 5, nearly 30 young adults took part in an impactful four-day Summer Boot Camp hosted by Arapahoe/Douglas Works! as part of the Governor’s Summer Job Hunt initiative. Focused on equipping 14–18-year-olds with the tools to find, land, and thrive in their first jobs, the camp was a powerful blend of career exploration, skill building, and hands-on experience. 

Day 1: Professionalism and Preparation 

Monday kicked off with a deep dive into workplace etiquette, professional communication, and navigating through difficult conversations. Special guest Tina Castro, an Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board member and seasoned professional from Concessions International, shared valuable insights from years of onboarding hospitality employees. Her session on personal and digital professionalism was especially relevant in today’s hybrid work world. 

Thanks to a generous donation from Arc Thrift Stores, each attendee received a $20 voucher to shop for interview-ready outfits, putting their new knowledge into immediate practice and giving their confidence—and wardrobes—a glow-up. 

Day 2: Career Discovery and Job Search Smarts 

Tuesday was all about discovering what’s possible. Larisa Romagnoli, workforce specialist with A/D Works! FutureU program, guided participants through career exploration activities with support from Katie Kothenbuetel, Career Services Librarian with Arapahoe Libraries who also provided laptops to support their research. The FutureU team helped attendees learn how to use labor market data to explore career pathways and how to avoid job scams when searching for employment online. 

Young adults also worked on building or updating their resumes with guidance from Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Career Services advisor Judith Noon, giving them tangible tools they can use immediately. 

Day 3: Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence 

On Wednesday, the group reflected on their values and developed soft skills that will serve them in any workplace. FutureU team members led discussions around emotional intelligence and identifying workplace values, helping attendees think critically about how they show up at work and why it matters. 

Day 4: Interview Practice and Financial Literacy 

The week wrapped up with a strong finish. Participants practiced their interview skills in mock interviews, building confidence and receiving direct feedback. 

Christina Dikeman from Rocky Mountain Junior Achievement delivered an engaging financial literacy session focused on budgeting and credit essentials, sparking thoughtful questions from attendees and giving them a head start on managing their finances. 

Day 5: Real-World Experience as a Youth-Focused Job Fair 

Friday brought everything together with a youth-focused job fair featuring 12 employers and 68 total jobseekers in attendance. Attendees were able to apply their new skills in real time handing out resumes, practicing elevator pitches, and exploring real job opportunities. The Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Business Services team also provided additional job leads tailored to youth, helping extend the benefits of the event beyond the fair. 

A Community Effort 

This event was made possible through the collaboration of community partners and dedicated staff. Special thanks go to: 

• Katie Kothenbuetel of Arapahoe Libraries for providing laptops, notebooks, and expert support in career exploration 

• Tina Castro of Concessions International for her mentorship in workplace professionalism 

• Christina Dikeman of Rocky Mountain Junior Achievement for delivering vital financial education 

• Arc Thrift Stores for donating gift vouchers to support interview attire 

• Developmental Pathways for sponsoring lunches throughout the week 

• Ricardo Abasalom and Becky McDermott with Aurora SWAP for supporting students and connecting them with the event 

• Arapahoe/Douglas Works! team members for their time, energy, and passion 

Together, this week of learning, growth, and empowerment helped shape the futures of the next generation of workers and made a real difference in the lives of young people ready to take their first steps into the workforce.