Inspiring teens to explore tech careers and build a brighter future.
When a group of high schoolers from Handy, a nonprofit that transforms the lives of at-promise youth by empowering them to take control of their own narratives and create a better future for themselves, stepped through the doors at UKG headquarters in Weston, Florida, they were eager to see firsthand what it would be like to have a career in the tech industry.
And while they did just that at a recent Empower U Summit, an event attended by students from Handy, Florida International University, Broward College, and Nova Southeastern University, they walked away with so much more.
Handy CEO Kirk Brown reflects on some comments the teens made about their experience:
“I never thought I would be in an important room.”
“I never thought I’d meet a Congresswoman.”
“Why did they choose us?”
Thoughts like these demonstrate a bigger opportunity beyond career possibilities that was unlocked for the teens at the event — an opportunity for them to realize their value.
While UKG and Handy are different organizations in many ways, they’re united by a common purpose — unlocking opportunity for people.
“Partnerships like ours with UKG are so critical because they create hope for our students. Building the bridge of possibility for youth that sometimes journey down a road of hopelessness is priceless,” says Kirk. "We are so appreciative to UKG and the U Krewers that pour hope into our youth through this incredible partnership every day.”
‘Unlocking opportunity for all’
Heather, Senior Director, Social Equity, Opportunity, and Impact at UKG, adds, “When we say our purpose is people, we mean all people, importantly those that suffer unfair situations such as homelessness, domestic violence, and poor foster care situations. Handy and UKG both believe in creating opportunity for all people and watching them thrive.”
The summit was part of an innovative underrepresented talent-engagement program, part of UKG’s larger Empower U initiative. As its name suggests, the program is focused on empowering the next generation of global, underrepresented talent to excel within the digital enterprise. It also seeks to open doors to potential careers at UKG by equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful.
While the program typically serves college students and adults, the Handy youth were the first group of high schoolers to participate in an Empower U event. Giving teens early exposure to career possibilities in technology can be game-changing for them as they think about their future.
“Through our work with Handy and other incredible nonprofit partners, we are creating upward mobility for students and hopefully inspiring them to think about their future in a way that may previously have seemed out of reach for them,” Heather says.
At the event, Handy youth networked with UKG employees and learned about careers and opportunities in the human capital management and workforce management technology space, including how to secure jobs in software engineering, cybersecurity, and a range of other roles at UKG.
Empowerment in action
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz was also there to speak about her public service experience and get to know the youth.
“And so, for us, it really lived up to the expectation of ‘empower you,’” Kirk says. “They felt really empowered when they left that interaction.”
When a few students were asked if the event inspired them to approach something in a new way, it was a resounding “yes.”
“It encouraged me to go out and network with different people to learn of the resources they offer,” teen Enye says.
Teen Kalen adds, “It showed me more places that I can work at and the many job opportunities there are. [And] it showed me how I can assist society in technological advances.”
For teen Makedo, it “opened me up to an outlet to strive towards my goals.”
A longtime partnership fuels change
Handy and UKG have been partnering for over a decade, with the Empower U event being just one example of how they work together to uplift the local community and ignite change.
“Handy is an organization that supports and lifts up our community’s most vulnerable children that are often overlooked by society,” Heather says. “These very children have unlimited potential but not unlimited access to opportunity, and the support UKG provides is critical to enable Handy to support and nurture these young people.”
Beyond philanthropic contributions, U Krewers often volunteer their time in various ways.
In the summer of 2023, Angie, UKG Director, Enterprise Customer Account Management and Sales, took her team to Handy’s Fort Lauderdale center to decorate and prepare welcome gift bags for youth attending a summer camp.
“It was such a simple gesture that took just a few hours to do, but it had such an impact on the team,” Angie says. “Giving doesn't have to always be a ton of money, just the act of offering your time goes a long way.”
The experience also gave the team an opportunity to reset and refocus, she says.
“I think everybody’s kind of on this cadence of go, go, go, go,” Angie says. “And I just think it was a moment that we could reflect a little bit and think about how important it is to not just think about what we do as a company or as a team, but how we can impact our communities when we take the time to do it. It was a big reset.”
Director, Enterprise Customer Account Management and Sales
A brighter future is on the horizon
Partnerships like this not only make a real impact immediately but are creating hope for the future. With every engagement, a new door is opened for the Handy youth to write their own destiny and realize their full potential.
"Together, we can break down barriers, unlock potential, and empower our youth to dream big and achieve even bigger,”
Handy CEO