“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
For many youth their frustration has manifested into a feeling of general apathy towards education. Viewed more as an obligation than a privilege, many feel they don’t get any value out of the time they spend in school, and therefore don’t put in the effort needed to succeed. Youth from underserved communities and many young women do not have access to role models and mentors who will cultivate a sustained interest in the knowledge needed to succeed in tomorrow’s careers. They lack the guidance and encouragement they need to dream. While skills training and knowledge are incredibly important, there is no substitute for the important influence of role models, mentors, and other community members who inspire students to aspire to achieve.
Why This Matters
According to the Association for College Admission Counseling, the average American school only has one guidance counselor for every 500 to 1,000 students(6). In the worst cases, there are none at all. As a result, career guidance and counseling is severely limited. Most counselors have time to focus only on test scheduling or the college application process. Without access to counseling, high school students are making critical decisions about their career paths in a vacuum, unaware of the broad array of educational and employment opportunities available to them.
Young people from immigrant families and underserved communities tend to be less familiar with the high school curriculum and how it relates to college preparation and readiness. Many students who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds lack the financial resources that students with college-educated parents have. It is not uncommon for these students to work full time while going to school, due to loans and family dependence on their income. Employment may interfere with time dedicated to class, homework, and school engagements that are critical to success. And given the escalating cost of college, some students and their parents are increasingly questioning whether it's worth going into debt for a post-secondary degree.
As millions of American youth remain unemployed and millions of high-skill jobs remain unfilled, both American communities and American companies lose. Diversity enhances organizational performance and adaptability. Engaging and inspiring young people in underserved and underrepresented communities to clearly understand their future professional potential will both enhance corporate performance and transform the American economy for the better.
Computer Science For All / White House
Our Approach
Reaching underserved youth requires outreach and support that directly addresses the challenges low-income families face. Companies can empower their employees to serve as community mentors, and to provide encouragement to students who may not consider pursuing the education needed to lead to a high-tech career. To better reach the children of new immigrants, schools can play a leading role by hiring staff who speak community languages, better welcome and engage immigrant families, and provide families with training and resources that will support early literacy and help them monitor homework. Organizations like Girls Who Code can help inspire young women to pursue higher level technical education and training. Similar programs can help target nontraditional students facing challenges such as homelessness, transitions from foster care, disabilities, incarceration, or a recent pregnancy or young child(3).
Most teenagers are receiving little to no career guidance will benefit from access to career building resources. Job seminars and career fairs, paired with resume writing and interview coaching can help students identify and apply for jobs that inspire them. Aside from these resources, students need career counseling to make well-informed decisions about career plans. Mentored youth also have better school attendance, are more likely to enroll in post-secondary college, and have better attitudes about school in general(7).
Digital careers are not the only areas of growth, jobs in clean energy and technology can also provide meaningful means of employment. In 2016, one in 50 new jobs added to the U.S. economy were in the solar industry, representing 2% percent of all new jobs. Demand for such jobs has nearly tripled since the first Solar Jobs Census was released in 2010. In 2016, the five states with the most solar jobs were California, Massachusetts, Texas, Nevada, and Florida. Organizations like Grid Alternatives, are making renewable energy technology and job training accessible to underserved communities, infusing excitement and inspiration into an otherwise slow labor market.
Mobile technology can also play a critical role in inspiring young people to pursue professional growth opportunities. New tech strategies and platforms – from gamification to personalized learning to free open source software – can empower self-directed learning, forge strong virtual connections and empower students to explore opportunities across the United States, and the world, regardless of where they live.
Lastly, community-based advocacy organization can find thoughtful ways to engage young people as leaders. By empowering young people to find their voice on issues they care about, organizations can show young leaders their power to make a difference in their community, and further inspire them to pursue education that will empower them to create change.
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RESOURCES
2. Green, Toneka M. “The Racial Academic Achievement Gap.”
3. Third Way. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Workforce Programs.”
5. Hudson. “Keys to Recruiting for a More Diverse and Inclusive Workforce.”
6. Here & Now. “The Guidance Counselor Crisis.”
7. Penn Foster. “How to Create a Successful Mentorship Program for Disadvantaged Youth.”