Here to Career is an easy way for users to find careers that match their interest and get connected with tools to be successful. With the mobile application, users can view salary information and high-demand career opportunities specific to their area and find a local community college with a program to help them achieve their goals.
In collaboration with the Chancellor's Office and Young Invincibles, the Foundation created Here to Career, initially targeting low-income students and families. The first phase of the partnership focused on providing low-income Latino families, specifically in the Inland Empire, access to information about California Community College education opportunities and awareness of careers that can increase earning potential and provide improved economic prosperity for the entire family.
Emerging industry job opportunities can help improve the economic standing of low-income families. The project, in alignment with California Community Colleges Career and Technical Education programs, aims to increase higher education enrollments of students in coursework focused on three priority employment sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Global Trade and Logistics, and Health—all areas projected to experience economic growth. In addition, the mobile app was tailored to reach students as early as middle school, providing information about academic programs, career options, and wage data, and real career stories from parents and alumni.
The project launched with a two-year, $375,000 grant project by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, an independent, private foundation guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive.
Current enhancements have been supported by the California Community Colleges Division of Workforce and Economic Development. These enhancements have expanded the application to provide access state-wide with regionally tailored information, improved usability, and make Here to Career fully available in both English- and Spanish-language.