Mariana Ponce, a Youth Service Corps member at the San Jose Public Library, said the program has advanced her professional development and allowed her to contribute to her community daily.

Ponce, who said she joined the Youth Service Corps in August after graduating college in May, told attendees that the role exposed her to literacy support and facilitating STEM projects for school-age children and helped her explore how her interests and career goals intersect with various professional paths. “I have been incredibly fortunate to find a team that is genuinely invested in the success and professional development of myself and my peers,” she said.

Ponce described entering the position without specific expectations after a difficult job search following graduation. She said the program “has shown me that careers are not always linear and with the right resources and support, I can achieve their professional goals in unexpected ways.” She cited daily responsibilities such as providing literacy support and leading engaging STEM activities for children as examples of the work she does.

Her remarks emphasized the program’s role as an early-career training and community-service opportunity rather than proposing policy or requesting action from officials. Ponce said she hopes to carry the experience forward and expressed gratitude for the support she has received.

No formal action or decision was recorded in connection with these remarks; they were presented as personal testimony about participation in the Youth Service Corps program.