A partnership between the Orange County United Way, the Anaheim Unified School District and the North Orange County Community College District is designed to provide high school juniors, many from underserved backgrounds, with a workable pathway toward a career.
The United Way’s newly launched Workforce Accelerator Program supports students in developing and implementing a personalized education and career plan, ranging from skilled trade and certification programs to earning two- and four-year college degrees.
Recognizing that not all students will pursue college, the program also introduces students to a variety of career paths and industries through partnerships with local businesses, unions and educational institutions, said Sergio Contreras, executive director of the nonprofit’s United for Student Success initiative.
The core mission of the initiative is to improve graduation rates by 2030, especially among at-risk students, ensuring they’re ready for college and careers.
“One thing that we’ve learned is that students can’t be what they can’t see,” Contreras said. “So, what we’ve been doing is … how do we take it one step further beyond just the exploration and create an experience for them.”
From the fall of their junior year to the fall of senior year, students can earn college credits through dual enrollment in high school and community college, participate in career workshops and paid internships, receive one-on-one career counseling and visit businesses. A $500 scholarship is available upon completion of the program.
Before the winter break, about 160 juniors from Anaheim Union High School District campuses participated in a career connections day at Fullerton College with panel discussions featuring professionals from a variety of sectors: science, health and wellness, visual and performing arts, engineering, math and business communications.
“When United Way approached us about this program, we found it to be an obvious fit and really wanted to support this,” said Carlos Ayon, dean of business and computer information systems at Fullerton College. “For us, in looking at the 11th grade opportunity, it’s really to find a spark and get some hands-on experience and a career and hopefully when they come here to our college, they have a better-defined pathway.”
Aritzel Isidro is a junior at Savannah High School who is enrolled in the Workforce Accelerator Program, looking for insight into careers directly from professionals actually working in those fields.