New York Teen Posts Flyers to Find Career Paths

A 16-year-old student is distributing 300 flyers across New York City to secure weekly job shadowing opportunities.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Teens

Bold vector editorial illustration of a backpack leaning against a brick wall with an empty paper, representing career exploration. — Avi Lichtenstein, a 16-year-old student in New York City, is conducting weekly job shadowing to explore diverse career paths before college. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you encourage a high schooler to pursue direct job shadowing to explore career paths?

In October 2026, 16-year-old high school junior Avi Lichtenstein launched a campaign to solicit job shadowing opportunities by posting 300 flyers across New York City. The student aims to shadow a different professional each week throughout the school year to better identify career interests before applying to college.

Why it matters

This initiative offers a hands-on approach to career exploration for high schoolers navigating the early stages of the college application process. By seeking diverse experiences, the student aims to gain practical insight into various professional fields before committing to a future educational path.

The 16-year-old student invested $500 of his personal savings into the distribution of 300 flyers. These advertisements were placed across the city by two individuals hired via Craigslist.

The players

Avi Lichtenstein

He is a 16-year-old high school junior who initiated a DIY career exploration project by distributing flyers across New York City.

The details

Lichtenstein has already shadowed a dog groomer, a radio show host, and a ramen shop owner to test potential career paths. Additionally, an airline captain and a tattoo artist have expressed interest in participating in the project.

October 2026 marks the period when the initiative became public knowledge.

Culture Shift

The flyer campaign follows a broader trend of self-directed career exploration among students who are increasingly seeking experiences outside of traditional school-facilitated pathways. This move reflects a shift toward hyper-individualized approaches to professional discovery.

Local residents may notice these flyers on streetlamps throughout the city as the student continues his search for shadowing opportunities. The campaign highlights a creative method for young people to gain professional exposure without relying solely on existing school networks.

The takeaway

Proactive career exploration can yield surprising professional connections outside of standard internship programs. Students looking to replicate this success should consider how to allocate their own resources effectively to reach local business owners.