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Why Start Your Career Here?


The Youth Advantage:

  •  Paid internships and apprenticeships – Earn while you learn

  •  Hands-on experience – Not just coffee-fetching

  •  Mentorship from professionals – Learn from people who care

  •  Pathway to full-time employment – Many interns are hired after graduation

  •  Affordable living – Your earnings go further

  •  Community connections – Build your network early

  •  Skills that matter – Real-world training for career success

Whether you're a high school student exploring career options, a college student looking for real-world experience, or a young professional starting out, Surry County has opportunities designed to launch your future. From paid internships to apprenticeships, summer jobs to leadership programs, there are pathways here connecting what you're learning to where you want to go.

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And here's the best part: these aren't just resume-fillers. These are real experiences with real companies that often lead to full-time jobs after graduation.

Internships & Youth Opportunities

Youth Opportunities & Career Pathways in Surry County

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Who Can Participate:

  • High school juniors and seniors

  • Recent high school graduates

  • Young adults (18-24) exploring career paths

  • College students seeking practical experience

Career Readiness Training:

  • Resume writing and interview skills

  • Workplace professionalism and communication

  • Financial literacy and budgeting

  • Soft skills development

  • Career exploration and planning

How to Get Started:

  • Talk to your high school counselor about work-based learning

  • Contact Surry-Yadkin Works directly

  • Attend career fairs and information sessions

  • Apply through your school's career programs

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High School Internships:

  • Paid positions during school year or summer

  • Work with local businesses in your field of interest

  • Gain real-world experience while still in high school

  • Learn workplace skills and expectations

  • Build your resume before college or career

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Apprenticeships:

  • Earn while you learn – Get paid as you train

  • Combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction

  • Industry-recognized credentials and certifications

  • Clear pathway to full-time career

  • No student debt – you're earning from day one

Explore Opportunities At Surry-Yadkin WorksRequest Information

Surry-Yadkin Works

Connecting Education to Employment

Collaborative program linking students and young professionals with local employers through internships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning opportunities.

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Summer Youth Employment Program

  • Paid summer jobs for eligible youth (ages 16-24)

  • Work with local employers and nonprofits

  • Develop work skills and experience

  • Earn money during summer break

  • Applications typically open in spring

Career Workshops

  • "How to Get Your First Job"

  • Interview skills and practice

  • Workplace expectations and professionalism

  • Digital literacy and technology skills

  • Career planning and goal setting

Who Can Use NCWorks

  • Students seeking part-time or summer work

  • Young adults entering workforce

  • Anyone needing career guidance or job search help

  • Free services for all ages

Professional Group Meeting

Job Search Assistance:

  • Help creating resumes and cover letters

  • Practice interviews and professional skills

  • Job matching based on interests and skills

  • Connections to local employers hiring youth

  • Career assessments and exploration

Explore Programs at Surry Community CollegeRequest Information

NCWorks Career Center

Career Services for Young Job Seekers

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CTE Pathways

  • Healthcare sciences

  • Business & finance

  • Information technology

  • Engineering & manufacturing

  • Agriculture

  • Construction trades

  • Culinary arts

  • Cosmetology

Dual Enrollment

  • Take college courses while in high school

  • Earn high school AND college credit simultaneously

  • Save thousands on college tuition

  • Get a head start on degree or certificate

  • Available through Surry Community College

Work-Based Learning

  • Internships through Surry-Yadkin Works

  • Job shadowing experiences

  • Mentorship programs

  • Career exploration events

Teen working

Benefits of CTE Programs

  • Industry certifications before graduation

  • Dual enrollment at Surry Community College

  • Internships and job shadowing

  • Hands-on learning with industry-standard equipment

  • Direct pathways to employment or post-secondary education

  • Many programs are free or low-cost

Learn More About Career & Technical EducationRequest Information

School-to-Work Programs

Career & Technical Education (CTE)

Surry County Schools | Mount Airy City Schools | Elkin City Schools

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College-Level Internships

  • Internships embedded in many degree programs

  • Credit-bearing work experiences

  • Connections to local employers

  • Career services support for internship placement


Popular Internship Fields

  • Nursing and healthcare (clinical rotations and practicums)

  • Business administration (accounting firms, banks, businesses)

  • Information technology (IT departments, tech companies)

  • Human services (social work agencies, nonprofits)

  • Early childhood education (preschools, daycares, schools)


Career Services

  • Resume and interview preparation

  • Job/internship search strategies

  • Career fairs and employer connections

  • Alumni network for mentorship

Explore Collage InternshipsRequest Information

College Internships

Surry Community College

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Foothills Young Professional Event

For Young Professionals

  • Networking with peers building careers in the region

  • Professional development workshops and speakers

  • Community service and leadership opportunities

  • Social events and relationship building

  • Board positions for leadership experience

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Who Should Join

  • Recent college graduates

  • Young professionals (20s and 30s)

  • Anyone wanting to build connections and skills

  • Students in their final years of college

Join Foothills Young ProfessionalsRequest Information

Foothills Young Professionals

Network for Emerging Leaders Under 40

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Some years, chambers offer youth leadership programs:

  • Learn about local government and business

  • Meet community leaders

  • Develop leadership skills

  • Team projects and presentations

  • Networking for future careers

Explore Chamber Events & Programs In Mt. AiryExplore Chamber Events & Programs In Yadkinville

Chamber Youth Leadership Programs

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Funding Options

Capital Options

Personal Savings & Bootstrapping

  • Most common way small businesses start

  • Maintain control and avoid debt

  • Lower cost of living makes bootstrapping easier

  • Your savings stretch further here

Friends & Family

  • Informal investment from personal network

  • Document agreements even with family

  • SBC can help structure these properly

Small Business Loans

Traditional Bank Loans

  • Local and regional banks

  • Relationship banking advantage in smaller communities

  • SBA-guaranteed loans available

  • Equipment financing and lines of credit

SBA Loans

  • SBA 7(a) – General business financing up to $5 million

  • SBA 504 – Real estate and equipment financing

  • SBA Microloan – Up to $50,000 for startups

  • Lower down payments and longer terms than conventional

  • Work with SBA-approved lenders

Local Lenders

  • Community banks (Surry Bank, BB&T/Truist, etc.)

  • Credit unions

  • Relationship-focused approach

  • Understanding of local market

Local Lenders

  • Community banks (Surry Bank, BB&T/Truist, etc.)

  • Credit unions

  • Relationship-focused approach

  • Understanding of local market

Summer Jobs & Part-Time Work

Suggested Industries

Friendly Shop Interaction

Retail & Food Service

  • Restaurants and fast food

  • Grocery stores

  • Retail shops downtown and at shopping centers

  • Coffee shops

  • Ice cream and seasonal businesses

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Recreation & Hospitality

  • Summer camps and recreation programs

  • Reeves Community Center programs

  • Wineries (some hire seasonal help 18+)

  • Hotels and tourism businesses

  • Golf courses

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Agriculture & Seasonal

  • Farm work and pick-your-own operations

  • Farmers market vendors

  • Landscaping companies

  • Seasonal festival work

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Skilled Positions

  • Lifeguards (certification required)

  • Camp counselors

  • Sports referees and coaches

  • Tutoring and teaching assistance

Filling Application Form

Tips for Finding Work

  • Apply early (March-April for summer jobs)

  • Apply in person when possible

  • Have references ready (teachers, coaches, mentors)

  • Create a simple resume even for first job

  • Be professional in applications and interviews

  • Follow up after applying

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Trades & Apprenticeships

Learn a Trade, Earn a Living

Why Consider the Trades

  • High demand – Skilled trades workers are needed

  • Good pay – Many trades pay $40,000-$70,000+ with experience

  • No student debt – Earn while you learn

  • Job security – Everyone needs plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs

  • Entrepreneurship potential – Start your own business

  • Hands-on work – If you hate sitting at a desk

Available Through Surry Community College

Trade Programs

  • Welding technology

  • HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning)

  • Electrical systems technology

  • Machining and CNC

  • Automotive technology

  • Construction management

Apprenticeship Pathways

  • Work with local companies

  • Earn wages while attending classes

  • Industry certifications and credentials

  • Direct path to journeyman status

  • Support from Surry-Yadkin Works

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Technology & Remote Work

Digital Skills for Modern Careers

Technology Training

  • Information technology programs at Surry Community College

  • Coding bootcamps and online courses

  • LinkedIn Learning (free with library card!)

  • Technology certifications (CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco)

Remote Work Opportunities

  • Virtual assistance and administrative support

  • Social media management

  • Content writing and copywriting

  • Graphic design and digital art

  • Video editing

  • Customer service (remote)

Why It Works Here

  • Lower cost of living means entry-level remote pay goes further

  • High-speed internet available

  • InterWorks coworking for professional workspace

  • Growing community of remote workers

Volunteering & Community Service

Build Experience While Giving Back

Volunteer Sorting Donations

Yadkin Valley United Fund

  • Volunteer opportunities supporting local nonprofits

  • Community service projects

  • Fundraising events

  • Leadership development through service

Kids Outdoor Chat

Community Centers

  • Reeves Community Center

  • Armfield Recreation Center

  • Youth program assistants and volunteers

  • Summer camp helpers

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School & Sports

  • Coach youth sports teams

  • Tutor younger students

  • School clubs and organizations

  • Student government and leadership

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Arts & Culture

  • Surry Arts Council events

  • Foothills Arts Council programs

  • Festival volunteers

  • Theater and performance support

Environmental Activity Outdoors

Why Volunteer

  • Build resume and experience

  • Develop leadership skills

  • Meet people and build network

  • Give back to community

  • Discover career interests

  • Hours for school requirements or scholarships

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Funding Your Education

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Local Scholarships

  • Community Foundation scholarships

  • Chamber of Commerce scholarships

  • Rotary Club scholarships

  • Individual school scholarships

  • Business and organization scholarships

  • Often less competitive than national scholarships

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State & Federal Aid

  • FAFSA – Apply for federal grants and loans

  • NC Community College grants – State assistance

  • Work-study programs – Earn money while enrolled

  • Pell Grants – Federal grants for eligible students

Classroom Back View

Where to Find Scholarships

  • Your high school counselor

  • Surry Community College financial aid

  • Local chambers and civic organizations

  • Community Foundation

  • Online scholarship databases

Filling Out Form

Application Tips

  • Start early (many deadlines in spring of senior year)

  • Apply to multiple scholarships

  • Personalize essays and applications

  • Get strong letters of recommendation

  • Follow all instructions carefully

  • Don't give up – persistence pays off

Career Exploration

Finding Your Path

Business Meeting Discussion

Career Assessment Tools

  • NCWorks career exploration

  • Surry Community College career counseling

  • School guidance counselors

  • Online tools (O*NET, CareerOneStop)

Healthcare Team Discussion

Job Shadowing

  • Spend a day with professionals in fields you're interested in

  • Ask your school counselor or Surry-Yadkin Works

  • Connect through family or community networks

  • See what careers actually look like day-to-day

Career-Fair

Career Fairs

  • High school career days

  • Surry Community College career fairs

  • Regional job fairs through NCWorks

  • Talk directly to employers about opportunities

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Informational Interviews

  • Ask professionals about their career paths

  • Learn what they wish they'd known

  • Build connections for future opportunities

  • Most people are happy to share their experience

Success Stories

Young People Who Found Their Path Here

"I did an internship through Surry-Yadkin Works my junior year at a local manufacturing company. They taught me CNC machining, paid me $12/hour, and offered me a full-time job after graduation making $18/hour with benefits. I started my career debt-free while my friends were taking out student loans."
— Tyler, Manufacturing Technician, Age 20


"The apprenticeship program let me earn my associate degree in nursing while working as a paid medical assistant at Hugh Chatham. They covered my tuition, I graduated with no debt, and I had a nursing job waiting for me. Best decision I ever made."
— Ashley, Registered Nurse, Age 24


"I started with the Summer Youth Employment Program, got connected to a small business downtown, and they hired me part-time during school. Now I'm graduating college and coming back to work for them full-time. I've had a job here all four years."
— Jordan, Business Graduate, Age 22


"I wasn't sure about college, so I did a trade apprenticeship in HVAC. I'm 21, making $50,000 a year, no student debt, and I'll probably start my own business in a few years. The apprenticeship program changed my life."
— Marcus, HVAC Technician, Age 21

Getting Started Checklist

Male Student

For High School Students

  • Talk to your school counselor about CTE programs and work-based learning

  •  Explore Surry-Yadkin Works internships

  •  Consider dual enrollment at Surry Community College

  •  Attend career fairs and exploration events

  •  Get involved in clubs, sports, or volunteer work

  •  Research scholarships and financial aid

  •  Build your resume (even if it's your first one)

  •  Connect with professionals through job shadowing

Student Reading Outdoors

For College Students

  • Register with Surry Community College career services

  •  Apply for internships in your field

  •  Join Foothills Young Professionals

  •  Network through chambers and professional groups

  •  Build connections with employers at career fairs

  •  Update resume and LinkedIn profile

  •  Consider staying in the region after graduation

Industrial Training Session

For Young Job Seekers

  •  Visit NCWorks for job search help

  •  Create professional resume and references

  •  Apply to employers directly (in person when possible)

  •  Network through Foothills Young Professionals

  •  Explore Surry-Yadkin Works opportunities

  •  Consider apprenticeships or training programs

  •  Build professional social media presence

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