If you’re passionate about working with youth, making a difference, or exploring a career in education, your journey doesn’t have to start in a traditional classroom. Across Los Angeles, CA, organizations like A World Fit For Kids are providing powerful opportunities for aspiring educators, mentors, and counselors to gain hands-on experience—and, in many cases, launch meaningful long-term careers.
Whether you’re pursuing a degree in education, considering school counselor jobs, or simply want to work in a purpose-driven environment, after-school programs offer an ideal entry point.
Why After-School Programs Are a Stepping Stone to Educational Careers
The best educators and school counselors don’t just know how to teach—they know how to connect. They understand student behavior, support social-emotional development, and create safe, engaging environments that foster growth.
These are exactly the skills developed in after-school program environments.
At A World Fit For Kids, staff and mentors are trained in youth development best practices, social-emotional learning (SEL), classroom management, and real-time leadership. That means working here offers more than just a job—it’s professional development in action.
Real Experience, Real Impact
Unlike traditional internships or entry-level jobs that can feel disconnected from real results, A World Fit For Kids team members work directly with students every day. Whether leading fitness activities, helping with homework, supporting creative arts programs, or facilitating leadership sessions, they’re building meaningful relationships—and seeing firsthand how their presence makes a difference.
In fact, many of A World Fit For Kids’ full-time staff and site leaders began as part-time mentors. Over time, they moved into larger roles, received additional training, and, in some cases, pursued higher education with the goal of becoming licensed teachers, counselors, or administrators.
If you’re exploring school counselor careers in Los Angeles, this kind of immersive experience is not only valuable—it’s essential.
Skills You’ll Build Along the Way
At AWFFK!, team members gain critical skills that apply to a wide range of education and counseling fields:
- Behavior management
- Goal-setting and growth-tracking
- Conflict resolution and de-escalation
- Public speaking and classroom leadership
- Social-emotional learning implementation
- Cultural competency and trauma-informed support
These competencies are increasingly in demand in school systems, counseling organizations, and nonprofit education spaces throughout California and beyond.
Career Opportunities That Fit Your Passion
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to pivot into education, A World Fit For Kids has a wide variety of roles suited to different career paths:
- Program Coaches & Mentors
- Site Coordinators
- Fitness Leaders & Enrichment Facilitators
- Internships for Education Majors
- Leadership Training Programs for Emerging Professionals
And because A World Fit For Kids operates at multiple school sites across Los Angeles, there are opportunities to grow into leadership roles while serving diverse student communities.
A Meaningful Path, A Lasting Legacy
For over 30 years, A World Fit For Kids has not only transformed the lives of students—it has built a thriving community of educators and youth professionals who got their start in its programs. It’s the kind of work that leaves a mark, both on the students you serve and the professional future you’re building.
If you’ve been searching for more than just a job—and want an environment where you can make a difference while preparing for a future in education—A World Fit For Kids may be the right place to begin.
Learn more about open opportunities and how to start your journey at https://worldfitforkids.org.
