In our latest episode of Ways to Work, Jamie and Chris dive into YouthWorks, Project Iowa’s hands-on career exploration and readiness internship program for high school seniors. They unpack why early exposure to real-world workplaces matters, how YouthWorks helps young people discover their strengths, and what it looks like when a community invests in its future workforce.From classroom connections to employer partnerships, Jamie and Chris share stories from the field, explore the opportunities that help teens envision meaningful career paths, and celebrate the growing impact of YouthWorks. Whether you work with youth, care about workforce development, or just love a good “aha” moment, this episode brings a hopeful, practical look at how we can help young people start their career journeys with clarity and confidence.

In this episode, Gaby Cox, Director of Programming at Project Iowa, joins hosts Chris and Jamie for a conversation about meaningful career pathways and how our programming supports individuals on their journey to purpose and stability.

Tune in to hear Gaby share insights, stories, and her perspective on building strong career foundations through Project Iowa’s mission-driven work.

Episode one kicks things off with an interview with Julie Fugenschuh, Executive Director of Project Iowa, as she shares how it all began and the vision that continues to guide us today.