One group of students presenting their projects at Salem High School
LEAP Students from Gloucester, Salem and Peabody Have a Busy Summer Earning Money and Gaining Experience
There was no shortage of ambition, creativity, and talent amongst the 69 LEAP students who completed a summer work experience with a one-on-one career mentor each student was matched with. Below are just a few of the projects.
  • Considering the possibilities of self-driving cars
  • Figuring out a way to open an online women’s clothing store full of sustainably produced attractive garments
  • Identifying treatments for trauma
A few Interns even got to enjoy an in-person work experience:
  • Helping out at Cape Ann Animal Aid by making dog toys. 
  • Working at LuminArtz producing and documenting its August 5 presentation of Centuries in the Making, a 20th anniversary celebration of the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Memorial.
Gloucester interns Rowan, Ka'Shai and Nia at Cape Ann Animal Aid
LEAP students completed a project with support from their mentor and attended 12 hours of career readiness workshops with LEAP staff. From the experience, students made social connections and learned:
  • Research skills
  • Principles of entrepreneurship
  • Interviewing techniques
  • Career exploration tips and training
  • Post-secondary options
Thanks to the support of you, our donors, these invaluable experiences for LEAP students are possible. LEAP extends special thanks to Martha and Melvin Rosenblatt, Applied Materials, the Clark R. Smith Family Foundation and the Institution for Savings for their support of the Gloucester program as well as the MassHire North Shore Career Center for supporting the Salem/Peabody program.
Meet Two Of Our Career Mentors
LEAP career mentors are experts in their varied fields; they share a common passion for giving back to the community by sharing their experience and expertise with students just beginning to explore possible careers.
Two mentors speak about their work this summer with LEAP students:
Dr. Rick Maybury returned for his second summer as a career mentor. His student worked on art therapy for children. Says Rick: “Sophia is excited about learning and she discovered a potential future career path through her experiences this summer in LEAP. My time learning with her was personally fulfilling, and Sophia gives me hope for the future of our country.”
Dr. Rick Maybury
President, Knowles Johnson Institute of Graduate Studies
Yugo Nakai
Software Engineer, Panorama Education
For the past five years, Yugo Nakai has shared his passion with LEAP students interested in software engineering. “It’s deeply rewarding,” Yugo says to help students “learn critical job skills.” Whether it’s working with a student who has already had courses in computer science and helping her “extend her skills” or one who is “just beginning his journey of discovery,” Yugo meets his students where there are and shares with them “how to learn new skills in a job that’s all about learning new skills.
 For a complete list of mentors click the button below. Thank you mentors!
LEAP for Education empowers underserved students to achieve social and economic mobility by cultivating personal, educational, and career growth.