Career Success for All Youth

Youth economic advancement

Central LA East LA South LA West LA

Applying a proven solution to a new issue or sector (using an existing model, tool, resource, strategy, etc. for a new purpose)

In Los Angeles County, nearly 6 in 10 students come from low-income households in neighborhoods that lack access to educational and job opportunities. Despite their grit and determination, low-income youth face unequal access to the information and social capital necessary to secure high-quality employment. With approximately 80% of jobs found through connections, low-income communities lack professional networks to launch meaningful careers. Consequently, most youth go on to be underemployed, accepting jobs beneath their capacity and incredible potential. As a result, the Greater Los Angeles area is home to more than 100,000 opportunity youth, aged 16-24, who are neither in school nor employed. CareerSpring's community of Advisors and dedicated team provides a network to support, empower, and encourage these young people on their journey.

Informed by extensive research, in-depth discussions with employers and educators, and thousands of consultations with FGLI students, CareerSpring addresses the four key factors essential for FGLI students to secure meaningful, high-quality employment:

Networking and Career Advice (Social Capital) – 80% of all jobs are filled by personal and professional contacts. We offer a free network of over 1,500 professional Advisors to connect one-on-one in virtual networking sessions.
Skill Development - We offer resources for resume, cover letter, and interview prep, access to sessions with dozens of HR professionals, and online sessions that focus on career skill-building.
Career Opportunities - The Burning Glass Institute’s research found that just one internship during college reduces the odds of underemployment by 49%. CareerSpring partners with employers across sectors and geographies to identify opportunities, particularly internships, that will provide critical experience for a student’s resume and opportunities post-graduation.
Career Insights – We provide free resources for college and high school students to conduct self-assessments and explore career pathways.

Many well-paying jobs don't require a post-secondary degree, and not all students want to attend college preferring alternate pathways. An LA2025 grant will enable CareerSpring to support opportunity youth exploring alternative career pathways, leveraging current partnerships and our proven and effective model.

In Los Angeles, CareerSpring serves over 1,800 students and nearly 40 trusted community, education, and employer partners. As the premier, career-focused nonprofit, CareerSpring collaborates with Los Angeles’ most reputable organizations that rely on CareerSpring’s network of allies and free services to connect their students with future opportunity.

With LA2050’s support, CareerSpring will expand to serve nearly 2,800 Los Angeles youth and over 60 community, education, and employer partners. CareerSpring is defining a strategic plan to address opportunity youth through alternative pathways. Los Angeles can lead the nation in adapting the CareerSpring model to this population by leveraging current partners and identifying new organizations that focus on alternative pathways.