Perceptions of Urban Youth Regarding Service Learning: Development of Skills to Be Prepared for Their Professional and Daily Life

Background: There is a misalignment of skills that employers are looking for and skills that young job-seekers possess in regard to being prepared for work and for their daily lives. Often, these skills play a crucial role in promoting educational and occupational success in everyday life. Various life skills have individually been found in adolescents to predict future employment and social behavior. Strengthened life skills are associated with educational attainment, participation in activities, work skills, and gainful employment. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions of urban youth regarding service learning activities that would prepare them for attainment of professional life skills. This study sought to answer the following questions: (1) What are the perceptions of three Houston urban youth regarding service learning? (2) What are their perceptions on how service learning has impacted their skill development? This study also attempted to define how service learning could benefit youth in gaining life skills as well as work skills. Methods: This qualitative single instrumental case study analyzed data yielded from the interviews of three Houston urban youth (ages 19-23 years of age). Using constant comparative analysis, data were coded, and themes were determined. Results: This study generated four themes that pertained to the perceived perceptions of Houston urban youth and what skills they developed doing service learning to prepare them for their professional and daily life. These themes were (1) critical thinking; (2) teamwork/collaboration; (3) community engagement; and (4) intercultural competency. Conclusion: According to the results of participants’ experiences while engaging in service learning, it was determined that their participation in such activities was instrumental for the development of skills to be prepared for their professional and daily life.