Opening Doors for Foster Youth
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At Pivotal, we know that career readiness isn’t just about resumes and interviews; it’s also about networking and access. Many young people from foster care don’t have people in their lives who can help them learn what career options are available to them. They need someone to step forward and say, “You belong here.”
That’s why corporate partners play such a critical role in Pivotal’s Professional Development & Career Readiness program. They help scholars envision what’s possible and take real steps toward meaningful careers. From hosting career workshops and workplace visits to sharing networks, expertise, and opportunities, these partners help our scholars learn, grow, and envision possibilities they never knew existed.
Career Day Partners
Professionals from companies across the Bay Area work with us to welcome scholars into their worlds, showing them what it means to have a stable career and what to expect from the professional world. At Career Day workshops and on-site visits, scholars learn about different career paths, connect directly with professionals, and practice skills like networking and professional communication in supportive, real-world settings.
Adriana’s experience at our recent Enterprise Mobility Career Day reflects the broader impact of Career Readiness programming.
These experiences don’t just help scholars learn about the companies and jobs, they help them envision themselves in professional environments. Corporate partners help bridge the gap between education and employment by making careers tangible rather than abstract.
Over the past year, our Professional Development & Career Readiness program has strengthened through partnerships with AdvantEdge and the TekWissen Foundation. Through a train-the-trainer model, each Pivotal postsecondary coach is paired with an executive coach to build career readiness tools, solve challenges, and unlock new opportunities for scholars.
By sharing industry insights, co-developing training, and connecting scholars to internship and employment pathways, these partners are equipping our coaches with the tools and knowledge needed to guide scholars toward success in a rapidly evolving workforce. Read more about this partnership here.
Pivotal’s Career Readiness and Professional Development program relies on deep collaboration with corporate and community partners to create ongoing career connections. Our partners also participate in informational interviews with scholars, contribute to our Career Video Library, and offer insights to help scholars better understand what it means to have a full-time professional job. In some cases, those conversations even lead directly to internships, part-time jobs, or first professional roles.
We’re so grateful to our corporate partners who help level the playing field by opening doors that might otherwise remain closed.
When a professional takes time to share their story…
When a company opens its doors to a group of scholars…
When a partner chooses to invest in preparation, not just placement…
They become part of something bigger—a community ensuring foster youth are not just ready for careers but welcomed into them.
