At Genesys Works New York City (GWNYC), we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to recognize their talents and build a future that reflects their aspirations. Through internships and career readiness training, students develop critical skills, uncover new possibilities, and chart their own paths toward success. By connecting them to professional opportunities and supporting their journey beyond high school, we empower them to lead choice-filled lives.
Axel’s story is a testament to this mission. As a member of the GWNYC Class of 2022, Axel began his journey as an accounting intern at Mizuho Americas. He was a keynote speaker for the Breaking Through celebration commemorating the completion of the internship experience. And he reprised the same role in July 2026, at an event honoring Genesys Works’ CEO Byron V. Garrett’s recognition as a TIME Visionary recipient for his work in workforce development.
Axel first found out about Genesys Works in 2022 through his guidance counselor, as a rising senior at Alfred E. Smith High School in the Bronx. Although he had a strong interest in finance and economics, he had limited opportunities to explore those subjects in the classroom. Genesys Works opened that door. Through an internship at Mizuho Americas, Axel gained exposure to the financial services industry and discovered a future career path. The experience also provided valuable mentorship, including guidance that helped him establish his first savings account as he prepared for college.
Today, Axel is a rising senior at Hofstra University studying finance and working as an accounting intern at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, a law firm. Throughout college, Genesys Works staff and fellow alumni have remained a source of mentorship and encouragement. The alumni network has also connected him to professionals across industries, including aviation, which is one of his passions. For Axel, Genesys Works was about more than workforce readiness: “Genesys Works taught me that opportunities grow when people believe in your potential. More than an internship program, it gave me the confidence, connections, and support to pursue goals I once thought were out of reach.”
