McKinley Park News – Blackhawks, Pepsi showcase young careers through GameChangers program

Career-minded youngsters from Chicago’s West Side examined the inner workings of PepsiCo’s McKinley Park neighborhood distribution facility and the grocery giant’s Old Post Office headquarters through a new initiative from the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation.

Help for personal service businesses

The GameChangers program provides hands-on experience for students interested in pursuing careers in local industries, such as working in logistics, sales and warehousing at the PepsiCo facility at 1400 W. 35th St., Chicago. PepsiCo is the presenting corporate sponsor for the program.

Help for dining and entertainment businesses

A visiting student checks out a PepsiCo delivery truck on tour April 1, 2024 at the 35th Street distribution center.“GameChangers was inspired by students’ interests in launching and growing their careers in this city we all love,” said Sara Guderyahn, executive director of the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation.

Opportunities and Paths

PepsiCo hosted students from ASPIRA Business & Finance High School and Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet School on April 1, 2024, showcasing distribution center operations and employment opportunities, as well as the lucrative and fulfilling careers that can grow from entry-level jobs.

Sky Ride Tap - downtown Chicago tap at 105 W. Van Buren St.

“We are working to create exposure opportunities and tangible pathways to the many career opportunities that span our dynamic sports and entertainment industries,” said Guderyahn.

United Center Link

PepsiCo Unit General Manager Tiffany Wooten talks about careers at the 35th Street distribution center tour on April 1, 2024.The GameChangers partnership originated from PepsiCo’s role as the exclusive soft drink provider for the United Center. As previously reported here at McKinley Park Newskeeping fountain drinks available to thirsty Blackhawks and other fans is one of the biggest jobs handled by PepsiCo’s 35th Street distribution center.

Help for brick and mortar businesses

GameChangers is also affiliated with PepsiCo’s Program for Readiness and Empowerment (PREP), which provides access to career and employment resources for at least 3,000 youth from Chicago’s South and West Sides.

Professional development opportunities

“Partnering with the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation on this new initiative is a natural extension of the work we’ve already done with local community leaders to increase access to career resources,” said Brittany N. Wilson, community relations manager of PepsiCo in Chicago.

Help for dining and entertainment businesses

“We will continue to show up for local students and provide exciting, tangible career experiences in the hope that it encourages them to pursue any career opportunities that excite them,” she said.

Old Post Office

Students try to guess the PepsiCo product on April 1, 2024, at PepsiCo’s 35th Street distribution center.The GameChangers program also brought students from Richard T. Crane Medical Prep High School and Michele Clark School to PepsiCo’s workspace at the Old Post Office for a tour on April 10, 2024. There, they took headshots related to human resources , participated in mock interviews and examined the laboratory composition of Pepsi products.

“The station I found the most valuable was the interview and resume station,” said Raymarreon Polk, Crane Medical High School student. “I feel the feedback gave me more encouraging words to say and showed me how to present myself better during an interview.”

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