Cohen and Wolf Attorneys Mentor Students at Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders Group Program

On May 2, 2024, Attorneys Sara Bigman, Emilio Estrella, and Ariel Walker, in collaboration with the Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders’ SUCCESS Program, helped prepare students at Central High School in Bridgeport for future careers during a fun and interactive session filled with interview tips, strategies, and mock interviews. The SUCCESS Program, which stands for “Students Understand College and Career Expectations,” is a program intended to empower young adults with knowledge to help them identify their post-secondary goals and to provide them with the tools to succeed.

A graduate of Central High School herself, Attorney Walker remarked that she would have benefited from this type of experience as a high school student, and that it was a wonderful experience to return to her alma mater. Attorney Estrella explained that it shows that these young people’s aspirations are not pipe dreams, but realistic goals to attain. “The standardized expectations of the job market do not account for the wide range of environments and backgrounds that make up the applicant pool, and the challenges our communities face bridging that gap” he said.  “The early insights we have shared about our experiences tackling these challenges as we navigated our own career paths could be the edge these young people need to succeed in their own unique paths.”

SUCCESS Program sessions are held over a six-week period to review the basics of interviewing etiquette, including interview preparation and presentation skills. Cohen and Wolf has participated in several sessions in its ongoing partnership with Caribe, supporting the group’s mission to help students build the “character and self-esteem” they need to fulfil the promise of their innate potential. 

Cohen and Wolf supports initiatives like Caribe’s because it is a great opportunity both for the students to learn and for the firm to give back and connect with the community. Attorney Estrella explained that “these sessions give us the opportunity to meet some of the bright, young people that will become our colleagues, clients, and friends in the near future.”

“A community is only as successful as its members, and access to education and employment resources, especially at this early age, is an invaluable investment in that community,” Attorney Estrella said. “By helping these young people improve their resumes, interview skills, and self-advocacy, we’re giving them the tools to succeed. Their success equals community success.”

To learn more about the Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders or how to get involved, please visit their website at https://www.bcyl.org. ­­­­­­

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