Council for Opportunity in Education

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

Maura Casey

Building Strong College-to-Career Pathways for TRIO Students: Insights from Industry Experts

September 13, 2023

TRIO professionals aim to bridge the gap between college and career success for students, particularly in light of a recent Harvard study revealing that 40 percent of college graduates end up in jobs not requiring a bachelor’s degree. Strategies like personal mentoring, goal-focused mentoring, and improving diversity in college programs can help students transition into successful careers. It’s crucial for colleges to reassess their programs and address roadblocks hindering diversity and career readiness in fields like nursing and STEM to ensure a smoother college-to-career transition.
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Terry Vaughan III

From College to Careers: The Pell Institute Receives $748,000 Ascendium Grant to Explore Career Development within TRIO Programs

April 7, 2023

This research aims to provide a framework to help postsecondary institutions develop sustainable and equitable career pathways through strategic career exploration and development programming.
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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
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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 [email protected] to establish a talent-sourcing partnership.

Trio programs

Who is Served

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.

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faces of trio

Success Stories
Click to view the page: Jonathan Solomon

Jonathan Solomon

Talent Search, Case Western Reserve University

Click to view the page: Anthony Webster

Anthony Webster

McNair Scholars, Jackson State University

Click to view the page: Melonie Sexton

Melonie Sexton

McNair Scholars, University of Central Florida

Click to view the page: John Paul Abenojar

John Paul Abenojar

McNair Scholars, San Diego State University

Click to view the page: Kevin Wright

Kevin Wright

Student Support Services, Northern Arizona University

Click to view the page: Cristóbal Garcia

Cristóbal Garcia

Student Support Services, University of Northern Colorado

Click to view the page: Jonathan Berenguer

Jonathan Berenguer

Student Support Services, Lehman College – CUNY

Click to view the page: Tracie Sanchez

Tracie Sanchez

Upward Bound, Abraham Lincoln High School

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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.

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Through strategic collaborations, we work to strengthen quality, opportunity and access to education for all American students — the next generation of global leaders.

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