Creating Economic Mobility through STEM Careers

Income inequality

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. College graduates have an increased earning potential of up to $1 million over a lifetime.
Low-income students face deeply rooted systemic, racial and cultural barriers to accessing and achieving a college education. A major barrier for first-generation 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.

This initiative is to expand our Freshmen STEM Career Pathways program and increase the number of students served from 50 to 200. This program engages first-year college students, with a focus on first-generation students from low-income families, women, Black and Latinx students, provides exposure to STEM career opportunities, drives persistence in a STEM major, and is a pipeline to our STEM Advantage Scholars program. Programming includes STEM career programs, mentorship, professional and career development, and community to provide belonging and peer support.
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. Our Scholars (sophomores, juniors and seniors) shared that their schools’ freshmen programs focus on calculus and academic support with no focus on career. They believe these programs "weed out" students from pursuing STEM majors. We collaborated with scholars, alumni, and our Board member from Cal State LA to design and launch our Freshmen program at five CSU campuses in the greater Los Angeles region.
Our program focuses on “career” and skills. It is inspirational and aspirational showcasing what they can do with a STEM major. Students learn from and network with corporate partners about STEM careers. We focus on Southern California industries and jobs, including media and entertainment, aerospace, biotech, tech companies, consulting, financial services and insurance, and manufacturing.

Our Freshmen program is a pipeline to our Scholars program. 75-80% of CSU students live within 25 miles of their campus after graduation.
Scholars say our program is “life-changing” and empowering with a ripple effect:
1) Preparing women and underserved communities 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.

We use quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate and track the success of the program via surveys and 1-to-1 check-ins with a program manager to set Freshmen year goals and intentions, and discuss our career program to understand career opportunities in a STEM field and paths to economic mobility, including what they can do as freshman to start to prepare for a STEM career. For example, join a STEM-related club such as Society of Women Engineers (SWE) or Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). Plus, they discuss the importance of having and making time to talk with a mentor, and how we promote belonging and peer support through our Discord group and in-person events where freshmen can meet with students in our Scholars program. Through these conversations, we gather feedback and recommendations. We talk with our campus liaisons and corporate partners also. We incorporate learnings from these discussions to continuously improve our programs.