Developing Essential Skills for a Bright Future

Meet Zion, one of our talented Earn & Learn participants working at the Department of City Development this summer!

Zion has been attending meetings and assisting with zoning projects, gaining hands-on experience in urban planning. He's also working on a project analyzing crash data reports to draw conclusions between crashes and zoning types, aiming to mitigate future accidents.

Zion, who plans to become a civil engineer, has discovered the intricate connections between engineering, city planning, and the political landscape that influences these fields. He's delving into zoning codes and processes, appreciating the depth of knowledge required for such work. "I'm just happy to be here," he says.

Zion is starting school at Rice University this fall, and Earn & Learn has been excellent preparation for both college and his future career. He's developed essential skills such as networking, reliability, and clear communication. "I've never been in an office before or had a cubicle, so I've learned how to navigate that, too," he shares.

Zion has also learned the value of asking questions. "Know how to ask questions, cause people like to talk about their work. If you ask questions, they're more engaged talking to you and you also learn something in the process," he advises.