From T-Shirts to Tik Toks — Real Talent. Real Hustle. Real Impact.
What happens when you give students the tools, trust, and training to run real businesses?
They don’t just learn—they earn.
At CDMA’s summer program, apprenticeship wasn’t just a buzzword—it was the blueprint. Through hands-on work in T-shirt design, videography, content creation, administrative support, and more, students discovered how their hobbies could become income-generating hustles. This wasn’t theory. This was real work, for real pay, with real clients.
Here’s how our student apprentices turned skills into paychecks—and what’s next for their journeys.
From Sketch to Sale: The T-Shirt Entrepreneurs
The energy in the Design & Apparel Studio was electric. Students began with blank paper and left with branded fashion lines they could wear, promote, and sell. Every shirt told a story—some focused on safe driving messages, others celebrated culture, empowerment, or creative rebellion.
They learned:
- Graphic design using Canva and Adobe tools
- Heat press & vinyl printing techniques
- How to build a basic product line and pricing model
- Using QR codes and Google Forms to take pre-orders online
- Marketing with Instagram Reels and campus pop-up shops
One student, Mya, sold out her first batch of shirts within 2 days.
“I never thought I could design something and people would actually want to pay for it. This gave me confidence—and now I want to launch a website.”
Behind the Lens: Young Videographers Take the Lead
In the Media Apprenticeship track, students became directors, editors, and storytellers. Their goal? Create meaningful content for their peers and the community.
Assignments included:
- Shooting recap reels of field trips, glow parties, and workshops
- Interviewing students and leaders with real equipment
- Learning how to edit using CapCut, Adobe Premiere, and mobile tools
- Writing scripts, adding subtitles, and optimizing videos for social media
📸 Image: Screenshot of a student-created video teaser shared on CDMA’s Instagram
The result? A portfolio of videos that uplifted youth voice and boosted event engagement.
🎥 [Watch our Youth Traffic Safety Town Hall Reel](Insert Town Hall Reel Link)
Featuring scenes filmed by our very own apprentices!
“It’s different when youth are behind the camera,” said video apprentice Elijah. “We know what we want to see and say—so we make it happen.”
Organized & On Point: Administrative Apprentices in Action
Not every hustle involves cameras or clothing. Some of the most vital roles were behind the scenes, keeping operations flowing and teams organized.
Admin apprentices took on:
- Email management and calendar scheduling
- Creating event checklists and inventory sheets
- Responding to vendor requests and tracking deliverables
- Using Google Workspace to manage docs, orders, and receipts
Through this experience, students learned that detail-oriented work matters—and it pays.
“Being in admin helped me feel like a leader,” said Jasiah. “I kept the designers on track, helped plan deadlines, and now I want to run a nonprofit someday.”
Shop Talk: How Apprentices Sold Their Work
Once the designs were made and the videos shot, students didn’t stop. They became their own sales reps, promoters, and customer service teams.
The Apprentice Pop-Up Shop launched at a weekend showcase, where students:
- Set up booths with their merch and business cards
- Used iPads and phones to take payments via Cash App and PayPal
- Recorded testimonials and captured customer feedback
- Practiced pitching their story in 30 seconds or less
📸 Image: Students selling T-shirts and showing their branding board at their pop-up display
💼 [Check out our Apprentice Shop and Program Info](Insert Apprentice Shop Page or Program Link)
Several students made over $150 in a single afternoon, reinvesting some into supplies and saving the rest toward their next launch.
Digital Growth: Social Media Meets Real Business
Digital leadership was at the heart of it all. Apprentices didn’t just post—they created campaigns with purpose.
Whether they were pushing a pledge message or boosting event turnout, they learned to:
- Schedule content using Buffer and Instagram Drafts
- Write captions with strategy: hook ➡️ value ➡️ CTA
- Analyze analytics to track what performed best
- Collaborate across roles (e.g., video + design + caption) to amplify impact
“Social media isn’t just vibes—it’s business,” said content apprentice Brielle. “Now I treat my TikTok like a portfolio.”
Lessons That Go Beyond the Summer
These students didn’t just walk away with memories—they left with:
- Resumes packed with real-world experience
- Confidence in their creative and professional abilities
- Starter portfolios for college, jobs, or freelance gigs
- A deeper understanding of how their interests can fund their future
From T-shirts to spreadsheets to short films, they learned that their passions have power. And when nurtured, those passions turn into profits.
💡 Real Skills. Real Impact. Real Pay.
Programs like this don’t just teach entrepreneurship—they activate it. Whether students continue their business or take their skills into internships, they now know:
- How to turn ideas into income
- How to lead projects from concept to completion
- How to navigate teamwork, deadlines, and customer service
- How to believe in the value they bring to the table
This is what apprenticeship should look like: empowering, hands-on, and youth-led.
✅ Ready to Learn More?
Learn more about how we’re building the next generation of digital leaders.
👉 [Visit Our Contact or Program Page](Contact page
/program page)