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Nineteen-year-old Sonny Yip of Queens, NY, never thought he'd be captivating a crowd with the dissection of a cow's eye. But, in his role as program explainer with the  

Science Career Ladder

  at the New York Hall of Science in Queens, he's extended himself beyond what he had thought possible. The Science Career Ladder is designed to foster exactly that kind of atmosphere--cow eyes and all!

The program was established to provide career access to those who are traditionally underrepresented in math, science, and science education. Its goal is to equip students with life skills for the world of science and beyond.

Queens-native Jennifer Correa, 21, found her biggest challenge was overcoming her fear of public speaking. "When I was valedictorian [in high school], I was reading [straight] from the paper--I was so nervous," she laughs. Through practice and experience with the Science Career Ladder, she's become a confident communicator.

Sonny has also learned how to relate to others more effectively. One of his special projects involves thinking of analogies for exhibits on the floor, such as "Everyone Is You and Me." In that demonstration, two people sit opposite each other, with glass in between them. If you put more light on one side, you can see both images at once. In order to help explainers do their Job more easily, Sonny recommends asking visitors to think about looking through train windows or going window shopping--you can see through the glass, but you can often see your own reflection, too. "It's better when people can relate an exhibit to something from their everyday lives," he reasons.

Like more than 1,400 students before him, Sonny began his career at the New York Hall of Science as an explainer, where he received training and paid employment to interpret exhibits and programs to over 295,000 visitors each year. With more experience, he progressed to his current status, program explainer.

Beyond that level is the position of senior explainer, which Jennifer has earned. She currently assists the training and orientation of new explainers, oversees after-school science clubs, works on special projects such as Spectrum--the Science Career Ladder newsletter, and serves as a floor captain. "I've learned how to be a teacher," she shares. "Anything I learn here, I feel I really know."

She's also thrilled that the job hours are designed for student schedules. Since she's been working at the New York Hall of Science, she has earned her associate degree in liberal arts from LaGuardia Community College in Queens, NY, and hopes to receive her bachelor's degree in media studies and education from Queens College as well. "It helps that I can go to school and come to work, since the hours aren't too overwhelming," she notes.

Sonny agrees. "I can work weekends, since I'm at school during the week." He is currently a sophomore at Hunter College in New York City, where he studies computer science.

His job has even helped him in his coursework, he says. "Being able to talk in front of groups helps me in school. I got through my science classes easily, since I had learned [the information] ahead of time," he acknowledges.

And, these explainers know their role goes far beyond being science experts. They're role models. "When a 10-year-old comes in, there's a very empowering phenomenon: They think, 'This person is cool, and they're doing science. Therefore, science can be cool!'" poses Preeti Gupta, an early participant in the Science Career Ladder, and current director of education.

The New York Hall of Science provides more opportunities for growth than a typical Part-time Job, boasts Gupta. "When you leave, you know you haven't just pushed papers or flipped a burger. You've made a difference in someone's life that day."

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