N.J. All-Star Teens to Intern at D&B

Newark teenagers will be getting a taste of corporate America this summer as they work at area businesses, but the people at those businesses will have benefits from the program.

The New Jersey All-Stars program, which serves Newark teenagers, will be placing 175 teens at businesses like Dun and Bradstreet in Short Hills for summer jobs. Teens have interned there in the past, and Steve Alesio, Dun and Bradstreet chief executive officer, said it's fascinating to have the teens there.

"It benefits our adult professionals," he said. "They don't have that experience with kids from the inner city."

The employees also feel they are making a difference in helping teenagers with a diversity of backgrounds, he said.

The teens are self-motivated and are ready to be in the corporate environment, he said. They decide to be in the program and spend time training before the step foot in the office, he said.

"They're more ready than people expect," Alesio said.

Alesio has been involved with the New Jersey All-Stars program since its beginning and said he wants to try to create better connections for the teens. The program gives teens exposure to corporate America through internships and training.

The program is potentially important to a city like Newark, which is going through a revitalization stage, Alesio said. The program develops young people, who will be critical in Newark's future, while connecting the inner city with the suburbs.

"I hope the New Jersey All-Stars continues to impact a significant number of children," he said. "Anything I can do to help, I will do."

More of New Jersey needs to be involved in order to build the suburban-city connections, he said.