The Opportunity Network

"I was given a real education meeting The Opportunity Network students. These talented and vibrant kids are full of ideas and aspirations, with a real sense of passion and desire to achieve and explore. Their maturity and understanding of the world was a real eye-opener. I look forward to working with them in the future."
-- Jake Abraham, Producing Partner, InDigEnt Films

"I greatly respect what you are doing by getting the kids involved in The Opportunity Network. I think the whole program and all of the kids are amazing! I am proud to be a part of it and happy to help in any way I can in the future."
-- Amie Freedland, Designer,
G-III Apparel Group

The Program

We recruit from many New York City schools and our students reside in four out of five boroughs. Students are selected following a rigorous application process that includes school administration recommendations, written applications and interviews. Once selected, the program begins in their junior year and continues through college:

Weekly Classroom Career Series

• Through interactive sessions with executives, students are grounded in law, finance, marketing, PR, fashion, film and TV, technology, engineering, science, medicine, non-profits and politics.

• They undergo innovative networking training via a curriculum unique to The Opportunity Network, which teaches networking fundamentals for professional success; how to apply networking skills in real-life settings; and how to develop and grow their networks to sustain over the course of their careers.

• They learn standards of excellence: professional etiquette, workplace norms, proper dress and conduct, internship preparedness, interview skills and resume savvy.

Intensive College Applications Counseling: Senior Year

• Through overnight college trips, group workshops, and extensive one-on-one counseling, students receive extensive support through the college admissions process during their junior and senior year of high school. Results are dramatically improved applications and 100% matriculation at competitive colleges with substantial financial aid.

High School and College Internships: Junior Year High School through College Years

• Students do internships at Fortune 500 companies, PR firms, venture capital firms, consulting companies, fashion houses, political campaigns, film companies, theaters and nonprofits.

• They acquire high-quality resume-worthy work experience and receive invitations to come back and work in subsequent summers. They also build relationships with line and hiring executives as the beginning of a robust, lifelong, powerful professional and personal network.

History