Youth Perceptions of a Technology-Focused Social Enterprise

A qualitative approach was used to explore youth’s perceptions of their experiences with Change Agent Productions (CAP); a
social enterprise designed to provide challenging, positive youth, and career development opportunities for low-income, culturally-diverse
high school and college-age youth. Four focus groups were held with youth who had worked at least one job for CAP at the end
of the second year of the program. Open–ended questions were used to explore youth job experiences as well as the impact these
experiences had on different areas of their lives. Besides helping youth to learn about potential career paths and the subtleties
of employment in the real world, outcome themes included improved academic success and higher educational aspirations, more
self-confidence, professionalism, leadership skills, better work habits, and improved communication and relationships with
both peers and family. Implications for social enterprises focused on youth are discussed.