Career Opportunities Initiative

Diverse teams bring different perspectives and ideas to the table, which can lead to more innovative solutions to problems. Hire skilled and diverse talent, increase innovation, and support equitable career pathways for low-income and first-generation college students.

TRIO CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Helping to reduce income and wealth disparities between first-generation, low-income college students and their more affluent peers

The TRIO Career Development Program (TCDP) provides employers with access to skilled, diverse talent while helping to ensure TRIO students—first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds–have access to competitive career opportunities. Through its holistic approach – from the pre-recruitment through internship and career launch phases – TCDP is helping to reduce income and wealth disparities between first-generation, low-income (FGLI) college students and their more affluent peers.

TRIO, shorthand for the Federal TRIO Programs, is one of the largest federal infrastructures serving first-generation, low-income college students from K-16 and adults each year. Over six million students have graduated from the TRIO programs—namely, 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.

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TRIO IS YOUR SOURCE FOR DIVERSE TALENT

We recruit TRIO students from various institutions, including HBCUs and R1 research universities

TCDP 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.

TCDP 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 TCDP 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 Jennifer Wider 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

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

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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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