Career Opportunities Initiative
Work-based learning experiences can have a powerful impact on student’s career outcomes. Specific practices have been proven to help students get the education and training they need to secure a good job and lead a fulfilling life, including guidance and coaching, career skill building, exploration and immersion, connections to employment, and financial and other resources that help make education affordable.
UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL AND STEP CONFIDENTLY INTO YOUR FUTURE
Upcoming Webinars for TRIO Students
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Free Webinar
Building a Personal Brand and Online Presence
Sep 18, 2025
Virtual
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Nov 12, 2024
Virtual
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Free Webinar
Developing Leadership Skills and Career Advancement
Nov 13, 2025
Virtual
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Feb 13, 2025
Virtual
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Mar 13, 2025
Virtual
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Free Webinar
Interviewing Skills and Strategies
Apr 10, 2025
Virtual
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Free Webinar
Navigating Internships and Gaining Work Experience
May 08, 2025
Virtual
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Free Webinar
Financial Literacy for Career Success
Jun 12, 2025
Virtual
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Free Webinar
Professional Etiquette in the Workplace
Jul 10, 2025
Virtual
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Free Webinar
Exploring Graduate School and Advanced Degrees
Aug 14, 2025
Virtual
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Free Webinar
Building a Personal Brand and Online Presence
Sep 18, 2025
Virtual
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Nov 12, 2024
Virtual
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Free Webinar
Developing Leadership Skills and Career Advancement
Nov 13, 2025
Virtual
-
Feb 13, 2025
Virtual
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Mar 13, 2025
Virtual
-
Free Webinar
Interviewing Skills and Strategies
Apr 10, 2025
Virtual
-
Free Webinar
Navigating Internships and Gaining Work Experience
May 08, 2025
Virtual
-
Free Webinar
Financial Literacy for Career Success
Jun 12, 2025
Virtual
-
Free Webinar
Professional Etiquette in the Workplace
Jul 10, 2025
Virtual
-
Free Webinar
Exploring Graduate School and Advanced Degrees
Aug 14, 2025
Virtual
-
Free Webinar
Building a Personal Brand and Online Presence
Sep 18, 2025
Virtual
-
Nov 12, 2024
Virtual
-
Free Webinar
Developing Leadership Skills and Career Advancement
Nov 13, 2025
Virtual
Building Strong College-to-Career Pathways for TRIO Students: Insights from Industry Experts
September 13, 2023
From College to Careers: The Pell Institute Receives $748,000 Ascendium Grant to Explore Career Development within TRIO Programs
April 7, 2023
For Employers
TRIO IS YOUR SOURCE FOR DIVERSE TALENT
We recruit TRIO students from various institutions, including HBCUs and R1 research universities
The Career Opportunities Initiative (COI) prepares students to meet the National Association of College and Employers (NACE) employment competency standards. All participants must demonstrate these competencies before referral for internships or full-time employment.
COI recruits TRIO students from various institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and R1 research universities.
COE is partnering with public and private employers to provide pathways to competitive careers for FGLI students through internships, career acceleration programs, and full-time jobs. Students participating in COI receive:
- Skills, strengths, and interest assessments
- Career exploration experiences
- Cognitive and technical skill development courses
- Intensive support from Career Development Mentors
READY TO GET STARTED?
Customize a Talent Sourcing Partnership to Meet Your Diversity Hiring Needs
COE customizes talent-sourcing partnerships to meet individual employer goals. Customization options include:
- Select institutions
- Specific Majors
- Year of study
- Geographic preferences
- Internships/job postings
- Direct marketing
- Screened referrals
COE will pre-screen candidates based on your internship or job requisition profile to find the best match. We also offer employers consultations to support the successful recruitment and retention of FGLI talent. Contact Tommy Walls at tommy.walls@coenet.org to establish a talent-sourcing partnership.
Trio programs
Federal TRIO Programs (Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, Veterans’ Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers, and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program) help students to overcome economic, social, academic, and cultural barriers to higher education.
faces of trio
Cristóbal Garcia
Student Support Services, University of Northern Colorado
Jonathan Berenguer
Student Support Services, Lehman College – CUNY
Tracie Sanchez
Upward Bound, Abraham Lincoln High School
Jonathan Solomon
Talent Search, Case Western Reserve University
Anthony Webster
McNair Scholars, Jackson State University
Melonie Sexton
McNair Scholars, University of Central Florida
John Paul Abenojar
McNair Scholars, San Diego State University
Kevin Wright
Student Support Services, Northern Arizona University
Cristóbal Garcia
Student Support Services, University of Northern Colorado
Jonathan Berenguer
Student Support Services, Lehman College – CUNY
Tracie Sanchez
Upward Bound, Abraham Lincoln High School
Jonathan Solomon
Talent Search, Case Western Reserve University
Anthony Webster
McNair Scholars, Jackson State University
Melonie Sexton
McNair Scholars, University of Central Florida
John Paul Abenojar
McNair Scholars, San Diego State University
Kevin Wright
Student Support Services, Northern Arizona University
Cristóbal Garcia
Student Support Services, University of Northern Colorado
Jonathan Berenguer
Student Support Services, Lehman College – CUNY
Tracie Sanchez
Upward Bound, Abraham Lincoln High School
Support Us
If you are a student support services professional, thank you. You are an unsung hero for all the good that you do, and surely you know by now that COE has your back.
Partner
Through strategic collaborations, we work to strengthen quality, opportunity and access to education for all American students — the next generation of global leaders.
Join Us
oin more than 1,000 colleges and community agencies committed to postsecondary opportunity for low-income, first-generation students, students with disabilities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., the Pacific Islands, and Puerto Rico!