For many young people, imagining a future career is not always easy. It is one thing to hear about jobs in a classroom. It is another to see them up close.

“With Coca‑Cola, we give kids once-in-a-lifetime opportunities,” said Caitlyn Beatty, National Director of Life and Workforce Readiness at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Touring a stadium, visiting a bottling facility or participating in Coke Studio shows them careers they may never have imagined.”

For nearly 80 years, The Coca‑Cola Company and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have worked together to open doors for young people. At the heart of that work is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s mission to help all young people reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Together, the partnership brings that mission to life by connecting teens to exciting real-world experiences and helping them build skills for the future.

“Our journey with The Coca‑Cola Company began with a common goal: empowering youth with the opportunities they need to thrive,” said Jim Clark, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Time and time again, Coca‑Cola has shown up for millions of teens, providing foundational experiences that only The Coca‑Cola Company and Boys & Girls Clubs of America can deliver. Together we’re grateful to help refresh the world, one teen at a time.”

In 2020, The Coca‑Cola Company became the founding partner of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Life & Workforce Readiness strategy. From that first spark of interest in a dream job to securing internships, college scholarships and first jobs, these programs set today’s youth up to build the futures they envision.

Today, that work reaches 4,000 Club sites nationwide. Young people build skills like communication, creativity and leadership, along with hands-on experience in resume writing, interview preparation, certifications and real-world learning opportunities. 

“Our goal is that 100% of Clubs provide foundational career, financial literacy and postsecondary planning experiences for all youth, in every community Clubs reach,” said Natalie Giles-Klein, Lead Director, Corporate & Cause Partnerships at Boys & Girls Cubs of America​. “Experiences like the NCAA Final Four and FIFA World Cup™ make career pathways real for young people.”

In Cleveland, more than 200 teens joined a program with The Coca‑Cola Company’s sports marketing team, the NCAA and other partners. They explored sports-related careers, pitched their own in-game entertainment ideas and saw a winning concept come to life during Final Four practice.

More recently, within the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Coca‑Cola's Future Careers (FC) Academy emerged as the company's signature workforce readiness initiative, helping more than 2,000 Boys & Girls Club teens complete career-focused learning modules designed to build workforce-ready skills and explore opportunities in sports, marketing and related industries.

Through Coca‑Cola's partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, top-performing participants unlocked unique FIFA World Cup™ experiences, including more than 70 youth serving as Coca‑Cola Flag Bearers across matches in every U.S. Host City and 12 Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year taking the field during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Match in New York New Jersey Stadium. By connecting the world's biggest sporting event to meaningful career exploration, mentorship and real-world experiences, FC Academy created a legacy that extends far beyond the final whistle.

The strength of the partnership comes from how both organizations work together. 

“Coca‑Cola isn’t just a sponsor,” said Natalie. “They are a true partner in every sense of the word. They come to the table asking, ‘How can we help and support you?’ rather than telling us what they want us to do.”

That approach has helped expand programs and deepen their impact. It also shows up at every level of the Coca‑Cola system. Nationally, The Coca‑Cola Company helps shape the partnership’s strategy and create large-scale experiences tied to moments like the NCAA Final Four and Coke Studio. Locally, Coca‑Cola bottlers build relationships with Clubs, creating internships, supporting teen centers and connecting young people to real-world experiences in their own communities.

Together, those efforts are helping build pathways for young people to pursue their dreams, explore careers tied to their passions and achieve long-term economic mobility.

The Coca‑Cola Company is proud to have longstanding partnerships with organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help communities across America thrive, and it’s a part of a deeper commitment to advancing progress and possibility. In one year alone, the Coca‑Cola system contributes $177 million in community initiatives together with The Coca‑Cola Foundation and the Coca‑Cola Scholars Foundation.

“Together, we are building sustainable workforce readiness programming that prepares young people for long-term upward economic mobility,” Caitlyn said.

For the young people walking into Clubs every day, that impact is tangible. A first look at careers they may not have seen up close, known existed or thought were possible. A new skill. A growing sense of confidence about what’s next.