Creating Economic Mobility through STEM Careers

Income inequality

Central LA East LA South LA San Gabriel Valley West LA San Fernando Valley South Bay Long Beach County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

California is the fifth largest economy in the world yet has some of the highest levels of income inequality in the U.S. A bachelor’s degree is the surest path to the middle class. Yet national college graduation rates for low-income youth show only 11% earn a bachelor's degree.
Low-income students face deeply rooted systemic, racial and cultural barriers to accessing and achieving a college education. A major barrier for first-gen students is connection—bonds with peers facing similar circumstances and life experiences that promote feelings of belonging, relationships with mentors to provide guidance and serve as role models, and linkages to business professionals that open doors to employment.
The lack of diversity in STEM professions is well documented and presents an opportunity to narrow the gender and racial equity gaps and empower economic mobility. STEM jobs pay more, on average, than non-STEM jobs. Plus 80% of the fastest growing occupations depend upon mastery of STEM skills.

40 to 50% of students who enter college intending to major in a STEM field switch to a non-STEM major in their first two years. This grant will expand our career program to support students from their freshmen year through graduation and then beyond as part of our alumni program.
Our flagship STEM Advantage Scholars program includes:
· Career support to strengthen skills and gain confidence to secure paid internships and entry-level jobs
· 1-to-1 Mentors who are STEM professionals to provide role models, support, guidance and coaching
· Professional and career development workshops to prepare for their job search
· Scholarships to help scholars graduate with less student debt, and
· Community to foster a sense of belonging, support, and opportunities to build their network.
Our Freshmen STEM Career Pathways program engages first-year college students, including first-generation, low-income, and underserved students, provides exposure to STEM career opportunities, drives persistence in a STEM major, and serves as a pipeline to our Scholars program.
We offer our programs to students earning a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field at 8 California State University (CSU) campuses in Southern California, including Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State LA, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Northridge, and Cal Poly Pomona.
Partnerships and collaboration are key to our success. Leading companies, including Deloitte, Farmers, Google, Qualcomm, Reddit, and Sony support our career programs.

99% of our Scholars live in Southern California when they graduate, primarily in Los Angeles County.
Scholars say our program is “life-changing” and empowering with a ripple effect:
1) Preparing first-generation, low-income and underserved college students for STEM jobs, which pay more, on average, than non-STEM jobs.
2) Scholars earn $75,000 average starting salary, a sustainable middle-class living wage (400% increase over pre-program salary). They can save and invest, afford to live in California, buy a home, and build wealth.
3) Alumni “pay it forward” as role models and mentors for siblings and younger students. If they can see it, they can be it!
4) Children of alumni will grow-up with an expectation of going to college.
5) This results in a generational impact and clear path to narrow the gender and racial wealth gaps creating financial security for families and redefining the narrative.
Scholars are tracking to earn over $2 million more in their lifetime post-program.