Hey everyone, it’s Ben again. 

I’ve recently turned 26-years-old, and I still find myself figuring things out as I go. This probably would have freaked 18-year-old me out, who went into college with an undecided major and a cooking background that didn’t go beyond pouring cereal and microwaving hot dogs. 

It can be overwhelming for a young person to determine the best path forward for them upon completing high school. With ongoing economic and job security uncertainties, it can also feel costly to try something out — only to discover the career isn’t a right fit. 

The Bay and Metropolitan Community College have recently launched a pilot program to help young adults gain work credentials and explore job pathways they might not otherwise have considered, such as a position in manufacturing. The purpose is to help individuals develop professional networks and transferable, sought-after skillsets without committing to a four-year degree. 

The Bay made its start in Lincoln giving kids a safe place to skateboard and meet after school. The Nebraska-based nonprofit has gone on to offer career mentorship and workforce development initiatives through collaborations with community stakeholders, such as Don’t Panic Labs and Spreetail. 

“I think many of us can relate to being that age and just being really disoriented or being in high school and not connecting and not learning the skills that could have helped us later,” The Bay Executive Director and Co-founder Andrew Norman said. “So now this is kind of a second chance for a lot of them.”

Of course, The Bay has not lost its skateboarding roots. Its new 40,000-square-foot building and activity hub in Benson will include a skate park in its basement. This is on top of specialized and versatile workspaces and classrooms for creativity, comradery and education.

Check out the full story on SPN, in which I got to tour the new facility under construction. While I may still often have hotdogs for dinner, it’s been an interesting career journey to find myself taking photos at an active worksite.