SOS Outreach launches second annual career development program

Participants in SOS Outreach's Career Development Program. Photo: Courtesy of SOS Outreach

PARK CITY, Utah – The Park City based nonprofit SOS Outreach has been involved in providing children powerful experiences in the outdoors since 1993. For the second year in a row, SOS Outreach is launching their career development program for local teenagers.

Through the summer program, local teens aged 16 and up are placed in six-week long paid apprenticeships across the outdoor industry.

“We are really excited to bring this program back for our older participants,” said Palmer Daniels, program manager at SOS Outreach. “This is an incredible opportunity for them to explore how they can turn their passion for the outdoors into a viable career.”

A two-week skills intensive at the SOS office serves as the first step in the career development program. Participants learn core professional skills including resume writing, interviewing techniques, and even how to act and dress in a professional setting.

After completing the skills-training session, participants are taken on by a business where they can acquire paid experience, understand the ins and outs of the outdoor industry, and network with other professionals. Participants in this years SOS career program are being sponsored by Vail Resorts, Legacy Sports, and Armada Skis.

“We are so grateful to our partners who are hosting career placements this summer and to our partners who are supporting this program,” says Daniels, “the impact that this experience has on our kids is tremendous and I’m looking forward to seeing how all our participants grow personally and professionally over the next six weeks.”

In certain situations, these experiences have given participants access to more long-term prospects. Avery Rognan, a previous program participant who worked for the US Ski and Snowboard Team, was given the opportunity to continue on as a part-time employee when her six weeks were up.

Others say the experience has helped them find their career path. E. Romero, who spent last summer working as an apprentice resort specialist at Park City Mountain Resort, attributes their experience to picking a college major.

“Working at the Park City Mountain Resort was a great professional experience for me,” said Romero. “I got to try a lot of different things, but what really interested me was hearing everyone talk about Vail Resorts’ environmental goals.”

With this newfound interest, Romero began researching careers and education paths to do environmental work. This fall, Romero will be attending Salt Lake Community College to study Environmental Engineering.

“These young people are just beginning to gain job experience. We want to ensure that they are set up for success.” says Daniels.