STEM Core Pathway to Engineering Degrees and Careers
Earn money while completing your BS degree
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
The STEM Core Difference
While only 4% of California community college students complete the equivalent of the STEM Core over three years, 65% of our students finish in a single year.
STEM Core Year
Traditional Community College Year
Accelerated math-based curriculum equivalent to 4 courses
1 math course per semester
Wraparound student support
Independent study
Cohort-based learning communities
Individual enrollment
Paid internships at leading STEM employers
No links to career
Accelerated math-based curriculum equivalent to 4 courses
Wraparound student support
Cohort-based learning communities
Paid internships at leading STEM employers
1 math course per semester
Independent study
Individual enrollment
No links to career
Outcomes
3,000+ students served to date
400+ internships complete
80% of students persist in community college
