08/24/2026
One of our Youth Employment participant, Lexi Cripps, from our Summer cohort wrote this text regarding her experience with the program on the Yukon Youth Network platform from Youth Of Today Society - Celebrating Media Arts Program. Here are her words:
"My name is Lexi , and I was born and raised in the Yukon. I have always loved living here, and I feel very lucky to have grown up in such a unique and beautiful place. The Yukon has always been a big part of who I am. I love being outdoors, skiing, spending time with friends and family, and exploring everything around me. I have also always had a strong passion for animals, and I love learning about them and being around them. I play basketball at school and enjoy being involved in different activities, so I have always had things to look forward to and I love being part of a team.
Growing up in the Yukon has given me experiences that I don't think I would have had anywhere else. At the same time, being a young person in the Yukon can sometimes be challenging. Because our community is smaller, finding certain opportunities can be difficult, especially when you are trying to get your first real work experience or figure out what you want to do in the future. This summer, I had the opportunity to participate in the YESS youth employment program, and it gave me a chance to experience things that I had never really experienced before.
When I first started the program, I was nervous about meeting new people and putting myself out there. I had never really been in a situation where I was expected to work with a group of people I didn't know and adapt to different environments. School prepares you for a lot of things, but I don't think it completely prepares you for the real world. There is a big difference between learning about responsibility in a classroom and actually having to show up, communicate with people, work as a team, and figure things out for yourself.
One of the best parts of YESS was actually the people I experienced it with. Over the course of the program, I became very close with most of the other participants. At first, we were all just a group of people who didn't necessarily know each other very well, but eventually it felt like we had become a team. We supported each other, encouraged each other, and went through new experiences together. Even when something was difficult or someone was having a hard day, it never really felt like you were doing it completely on your own. Having that sense of teamwork made the program much more enjoyable and helped me become more comfortable around new people.
My favourite part of the program was definitely our discovery shifts. We got the opportunity to experience different workplaces, including the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, Staples, and Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. Each one gave me something different to take away from the experience. I was especially excited about the Yukon Wildlife Preserve because of my love for animals, but Staples ended up being my favourite overall. I really enjoyed the environment there and the people I worked with. I felt comfortable asking questions and learned a lot just by being involved in the workplace and seeing how everything worked.
The discovery shifts also showed me that not every workplace experience is going to be exactly what you expect. Some shifts were more engaging than others, and sometimes it was difficult to stay interested when I didn't feel very involved. Instead of seeing that as a completely negative experience, I think it helped me understand what I would want from a future workplace. It made me realize how important the people around you and the environment you work in can be.
Another experience that stands out to me was building benches at Yukonstruct. It was a very hands-on activity, and we had to work together to actually create something. It was definitely challenging at times, and there were moments when it was hard to keep everyone motivated, but it was also rewarding to see the finished product. It reminded me that teamwork isn't always about everything going perfectly. Sometimes it is about figuring things out together and continuing even when the process gets frustrating.
Finding my own work placement has been one of the more difficult parts of the program. It has been frustrating at times because I wanted to gain more experience and move forward, but I have had a lot of support throughout the process. That support has made a difference and has reminded me that asking for help is not something to be embarrassed about. Sometimes finding an opportunity takes time, and that doesn't mean you are not making progress.
More than anything, YESS has changed the way I think about my future. I have learned that taking initiative is important and that you cannot always wait for someone else to give you an opportunity. Sometimes you have to be willing to introduce yourself, ask questions, try something new, or take a chance even when you are nervous. I think that is something I will continue to use long after this program is over.
In the future, I would love to do something in aviation. A lot of my family has been involved in aviation, and it is something I have always found really interesting. I am still figuring out exactly what I want my career to look like, but I know I want to find something that I am genuinely interested in and proud of. My experience this summer has made me think more seriously about what it will take to get there.
Looking back, I think one of the most valuable things about YESS was that it gave me more than just employment experience. It gave me new friendships, new experiences, and a better understanding of myself. I became more comfortable putting myself out there, learned what I enjoy in a workplace, and realized how much a supportive team can change an experience. Growing up in the Yukon has taught me to appreciate where I live, but YESS has taught me that wherever I go next, I need to be willing to step outside of my comfort zone and make the most of the opportunities in front of me."
