Growth Sector seeks to develop pathways to economic self-sufficiency extending from community college to high-paying careers in STEM. Earn While You Learn!
Learn moreThe Challenges:
Economic Challenges
Student Challenges
Growth Sector’s Strategic Response
Growth Sector’s Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Pathway
The STEM Core Pathway combines academic learning leading to a B.S. degree with paid research and work experience.
This multi-year, year-round initiative seeks to open engineering opportunities to more and more diverse community college students.
Step 1 - Summer
(year 1)
- Participate in STEM Core Summer Bridge
- $1,500-$2,000 stipend
Step 3
(year 2)
- University Research Internship/Paid employer internships
- $6,400-$8,000 in wages
- Employer driven research internships at four year universities
- Industry internships with partner employers such as National Labs, Lockheed Martin, Caltrans and others
Step 5
(year 3-5)
- Transfer and part time industry work until BS degree graduation
- Earn up to $22,000 per year
- Continue apprenticeship, working part-time during academic year and full-time during summer
- Continue receiving academic support
Beyond
- Engineering careers
- Average starting wage: $100-150,000/yr and above
Step 2
(year 1)
STEM Core Coursework (Math, Engineering) at your community college
Step 4
(year 2)
- Continue transfer coursework + begin apprenticeship
- Part-time wages up to $20,000/yr
Step 6
(year 3-5)
- Graduate with BS and transition to full time industry work
- Starting wage of $70-90,000/yr
- Career wages of $100-150,000/yr and above
Step 1 - Summer
(year 1)
- Participate in STEM Core Summer Bridge
- $1,500-$2,000 stipend
Step 2
(year 1)
STEM Core Coursework (Math, Engineering) at your community college
Step 3
(year 2)
- University Research Internship/Paid employer internships
- $6,400-$8,000 in wages
- Employer driven research internships at four year universities
- Industry internships with partner employers such as National Labs, Lockheed Martin, Caltrans and others
Step 4
(year 2)
- Continue transfer coursework + begin apprenticeship
- Part-time wages up to $20,000/yr
Step 5
(year 3-5)
- Transfer and part time industry work until BS degree graduation
- Earn up to $22,000 per year
- Continue apprenticeship, working part-time during academic year and full-time during summer
- Continue receiving academic support
Step 6
(year 3-5)
- Graduate with BS and transition to full time industry work
- Starting wage of $70-90,000/yr
- Career wages of $100-150,000/yr and above
Beyond
- Engineering careers
- Average starting wage: $100-150,000/yr and above
Why Is It Innovative?
The degree apprenticeship pathway overcomes barriers to community college students seeking and succeeding in STEM careers by providing:
• A clearly defined and supported pathway beginning prior to community college enrollment and leading to transfer, a B.S. degree, and engineering career.
• Applied STEM skills, experience, networks, and confidence through integrated paid research and internships.
• Financial resources–$80-100K earned throughout student pathway to support pursuit of a B.S. degree.
Our Partners
A Professor's Perspective
"STEM Core means showing students that everyone is GREAT at math and just because you have a developmental mathematics requirement does NOT mean that you can't achieve your dream of a career in STEM."
Read the Story
Current Locations
Get updates
Sign up for occasional newsletters to get the latest from Growth Sector
Our updates feature news, research, and stories of impact from across our national network
Recent Posts
Motiv8 : Season 2 Episode 3: Me, at a National Lab? Unlocking the STEM Pathway with LLNL
Join Tony Baylis, director for the Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability, and Randy Pico, senior superintendent of the Engineering Directorate as they illuminate the compelling reasons why every STEM student should contemplate a career at a national lab.
Learn More
Motiv8 : Season 2 Episode 2: Real Recognizes REAL
STEM Core Fan Favorite, Gabe Lomeli, Strategy & Account Manager for LinkedIn, challenges listeners to tap into their authentic selves as a cheat code to unlocking natural networking skills. Gabe also has a special LinkedIn offer for Motiv8 listeners (listen to enter drawing)!
Learn More