Brooklyn Is Building the Future -- And It Starts This Spring

BROOKLYN, N.Y., April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The future of work takes center stage this spring as Brooklyn Builds the Future: Career & Innovation Fest brings together more than 300 high school and college students with leaders across technology, business, and innovation for a one-day, hands-on experience designed to prepare the next generation for a rapidly evolving economy.

Produced by Next YE Development and hosted at St. Francis College, the event reimagines the traditional career fair, blending a technology expo, innovation challenge, and career accelerator into a single, high-impact experience.

Inspired by the energy of Consumer Electronics Show and the competitive spirit of Science Olympiad, the event immerses students in emerging technologies shaping today's workforce, from artificial intelligence and robotics to virtual reality and entrepreneurship.

Students will not just observe, they'll actively participate through:

• Live hackathons and coding sprints
• Startup simulations and pitch sessions
• Business and entrepreneurship competitions
• Hands-on STEM demonstrations
• Career exploration and networking with industry professionals

Confirmed participants include Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, Pfizer, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, CanvaEdu, Job Corps, and Workforce1, with more to be announced.

Through interactive booths, workshops, and mentorship, participating organizations will connect students to tangible career pathways across tech, healthcare, engineering, and entrepreneurship.

"Students deserve more than a brochure about their future, they deserve to experience it," said Michelle Blue, Founder of Next YE Development. "When young people engage directly with innovation and real industry leaders, they move from wondering what's possible to understanding how to get there."

As automation, AI, and entrepreneurship reshape the workforce, access to real-world experience remains limited, especially for students in underserved communities. Brooklyn Builds the Future was created to close that gap by replacing passive career exposure with active, hands-on learning.

The event empowers students with the skills, confidence, and connections needed to navigate modern career pathways, turning inspiration into action in a single day.

Event Details
Date: Friday, April 17, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Location: St. Francis College, 179 Livingston St, Brooklyn, NY
Audience: High school and college students, educators, community partners
Website: www.brooklynbuildsthefuture.com

For more information, visit: www.brooklynbuildsthefuture.com or www.nextdevelopmentprogram.com.

About Next YE Development
Next YE Development is an education consultancy focused on preparing students and communities for the future of work. Through immersive programming, curriculum development, and innovation-driven experiences, the organization equips young people with the skills, mindset, and access needed to thrive in a technology-driven economy. Since 2021, Next YE Development has served over 10,000 students across New York City.

Contact:
Nickie Robinson
212.380.3385
[email protected]

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SOURCE Next YE Development