Yelp, the well-known crowd-sourcing website, hosted an exciting career networking day for Aim High teaching assistants (TAs) and alumni. Seventeen high school students visited the Yelp Headquarters in downtown San Francisco for a day of hands-on professional learning and networking. The event was informative, engaging, and fun. TAs and alumni learned about Yelp, its departments and objectives, and spoke with employees about pathways to higher education and professional careers. In recent years, Aim High has worked to expand resources for students, even after they complete our program. The event at Yelp was one way to provide alumni and TAs with additional college and career support. Participants dove into the day with ‘speed networking,’ a play on speed dating. Yelp employee volunteers divided themselves by department while Aim High participants rotated between the groups—local and national sales, finance, recruiting, marketing, and engineering—to asked work- and school-related questions. Volunteers shared their professional insight, discussing necessary qualities for the workforce and offering advice. While networking can be anxiety-inducing for some, the Yelp experience was anything but. “I looked around the room, and everyone was smiling. Everyone was getting something out of this experience,” said Maya Nieto, Alumni and Student Engagement Manager, who helped organize the event.  

The second activity of the day focused on the company’s marketing and sales methods. Volunteers explained the diverse marketing needs different businesses face and how Yelp addresses them. In small groups, participants developed marketing strategies for Chipotle, Taco Bell, Nordstrom, and Fed Ex, while Yelp volunteers offered helpful suggestions. After formulating plans, groups presented their ideas and demonstrated ways to best utilize Yelp’s services. A popular figure in the app and internet world, Yelp was an enticing venue for the career networking event. “We wanted insight from employees who work for a company that makes an app we use everyday,” said Sarah Kong, Aim High alumna and TA. And it’s true; consulting Yelp when seeking a new restaurant, dry cleaner, or reliable mechanic is a common ritual in this day and age. The familiarity that TAs and alumni have with Yelp was a huge incentive to attend, but participants agreed that the best part of the day was meeting employees and hearing their stories.

Aside from professional skills, Aim High participants walked away with a better understanding of the different paths an individual can take in school and life. The event was truly inspiring for all who attended. “I think I speak for all of us when I say this,” said Blair Rasnik, Senior National Account Executive. “You are all way ahead of where I was when I was your age. Keep doing what you’re doing.” Yelp generously sponsored our inaugural Curiosity Lab at Aim High’s 2015 Generations Gala. We are thankful for the continued partnership and support they provide to our students and teachers.