Early Career Exploration

This grant project aims to address regional workforce demands by introducing middle school students at Samueli Academy—particularly those from underserved groups like Hispanic/Latino, English learners, foster youth, and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations—to early career exploration in high-growth sectors such as Engineering and Digital Media. Grounded in the K12 Strong Workforce Program and aligned with the Orange County regional labor market needs, the project integrates hands-on, project-based learning (PBL) and work-based learning (WBL) experiences into grades 7 and 8 curricula to build foundational technical and employability skills. By partnering with Santa Ana College and emphasizing equitable access, the initiative seeks to close equity gaps in STEM pathways, motivate students to pursue college and career readiness, and ultimately prepare them for high-wage, in-demand jobs in priority sectors paying well above the living wage. This early exposure combats career aspiration limitations due to stereotypes and socioeconomic barriers, supporting long-term student success through targeted academic support, mentorship, and social-emotional services.

This work plan focuses on enhancing curriculum and instruction through hands-on, project-based learning activities that introduce middle school students to foundational skills in Engineering and ICT/Digital Media, aligned with corresponding high school courses. The project aims to increase career awareness by teaching students about high-wage, high-demand careers and the educational pathways needed to enter them. Success will be measured by tracking students’ career interests and progress in CTE programs through grade 12. Expected outcomes include improved employability skills such as teamwork and critical thinking, development of technical skills in priority sectors, more informed career choices, and increased engagement from non-traditional students in STEM fields, helping to close gender and ethnicity gaps in these industries.