The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) has decided to branch out and take part in helping better prepare the future of D.C.’s youth through the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) ’09. The program allows about 83 different divisions of DCRA/in the building. These youth employees are gaining and hoping to gain more knowledge about the important skills needed in the workforce. This includes good customer service, organization, computer, and time management skills. Time management is definitely one of the most important skills to have.

Many of the youth have discovered how important time management skills are through the program already. Balancing your time, being aware of the time, and not procrastinating are all apart of good time management. Some employees still have not gotten used to waking up this early to work, but still understand that it will pay off later on. They also realize time equals money, and being punctual will give/get them the pay.

Youth employees Whitley Lucio, Jasmine Williams, and Bryan Cyrus find that since the time is not too different from the start of the school day, waking up for work is not a hassle. Even though it is summer break, they attempt to come on time with positive attitudes every day. On the other hand, some like Nicole Claybrooks, Daeshanae Woodward, and Danielle Chappelle feel like it is a stress to get up in the mornings during what is supposed to be a vacation, but know they still must come to work maintaining good work ethics and manners.

Overall , the youth employees will learn throughout the program that time management is just one of the many essential skills needed in the working world. We all learn everyday that when we are late to work, not only does it lower our pay but also can harm our reputation as a good employee. Time management and organization are two of the key skills needed to portray yourself as a good employee. If you keep those in tact, the rest should just come easily.