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St. Lucie County, FL – CareerSource Research Coast (CSRC) is celebrating the successful completion of its 2026 Summer of Success program, which connected St. Lucie County young adults with paid work experience, professional skills training, and meaningful exposure to local career opportunities.

Funded by St. Lucie County, the Summer of Success program attracted more than 100 applications this year. Forty students were selected for the program, with placements determined by career interests, location preferences, and transportation needs. Two participants secured permanent employment immediately before the program began, leaving 38 students to complete the summer experience.

Participants were placed with employers throughout the community in fields including human resources, accounting, office management, social services, childcare, and events management. Participating employers included St. Lucie County, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Treasure Coast, United Against Poverty, Treasure Coast Builders Association, Southpaw Plumbing, and Mustard Seed Ministries.

Before beginning their internships, students participated in a week of career readiness training at CareerSource Research Coast or Keiser University. Students completed the Florida Ready to Work Soft Skills curriculum, while several returning participants completed the Florida Ready to Work Digital Skills curriculum.

Thirty-eight students successfully completed their coursework, and 37 earned a Florida Ready to Work Soft Skills or Digital Skills Credential after successfully passing the proctored examination.

“Introducing high school students to summer employment gives them an opportunity to experience what employers expect while they are still developing their career goals,” said Christina Coble, Business Services Manager for CSRC. “They learn that showing up on time, communicating professionally, working as part of a team, and taking responsibility for their work are skills that matter in every career. That kind of experience can make a real difference as they move from school into the workforce.”

Internships ran for several weeks in June and July. Students earned $15 per hour and were eligible to work up to 32 hours each week, giving them four weeks of hands-on experience in professional workplaces.

CareerSource Research Coast staff also conducted worksite visits with every participating student and supervisor. Feedback from both students and employers was overwhelmingly positive, providing further evidence of the value of combining workforce preparation with actual on-the-job experience.

A key component of the program’s success was the partnership between CSRC and St. Lucie County, which provided the funding that made the students’ paid employment opportunities possible.

“Summer of Success demonstrates what can happen when workforce development and local government work together toward a shared goal,” said Brian Bauer, President/CEO of CareerSource Research Coast. “St. Lucie County’s investment in funding these students’ wages gave young people an opportunity to earn a paycheck, gain experience, and build skills while local employers had the chance to introduce the next generation to careers right here in our community. It is an investment in these young people and in the future workforce of St. Lucie County.”

The program also provided employers with an opportunity to mentor emerging talent and introduce young people to occupations they may not otherwise have considered.

For CareerSource Research Coast, the results reflect the broader purpose of Summer of Success: helping young adults understand the connection between education, workplace expectations, earning a paycheck, and building a long-term career.

Learn more about the students, the sites they visited, and the outcomes here

For additional information about CareerSource Research Coast programs and services, visit www.CareerSourceRC.com.

Tags: Summer of Success