EXP Insider Newsletter - Winter 2019

Don’t let the Ball Drop for Our Students! Make a Gift to Our 20/20 Vision Campaign before January 1st!

This holiday season, a vision of a brighter future seems far out of reach for many young people in under-served communities across Southern California. In fact, more high school students than ever before can benefit from our life-changing career-based education programs and services. With your help, EXP can ensure a brighter future for more than 6,400 high school students! Make a generous charitable gift to our 20/20 Vision Anniversary Campaign before January 1st.

EXP’s Internship Program has Dramatic Increase in Student Retention

Last Friday marked the first big milestone point when students enrolled in EXP’s year-long Internship Program demonstrated their determination to successfully complete the program. “This is the time of year when the students have completed 3 out of 7 work-readiness workshops, as well as their draft applications, including submission of their internship cover letter, resume, personal statement,” said Nicole Martin Huezo, director of programs and strategic partnerships, EXP. But this year is not like any other in the program’s 18-year history.

“We are seeing dramatic increases in the number of students who have successfully submitted their application,” said Huezo. “To date, 282 11th grade students have completed their applications. That is 100 more students than were enrolled in the program at this time last year.” Each one is now well on their way to becoming a career-ready professional who can experience a 6-week summer internship with one of the many local area employers who will be hosting them.

We thank Prologis, our lead partner for EXP’s Internship Program, along with all of our industry sponsors and volunteer host employers who will soon be helping students gain real-world career experience in preparation for successful careers in tomorrow’s workforce.

Registration is now open for Southern California employers who would like to sponsor and/or host two or more EXP interns this summer! Sign up today!

IN BRIEF

EXP to present at “Educating for Careers” Conference in February

On February 28, 2020, at the Long Beach Convention Center, EXP is presenting a workshop “Strategies That Work: How to Attract and Retain Corporate Sponsors.” It is part of the California Career Pathways Consortia and California Partnership Academies “Educating for Careers” Annual Conference. Learn more about this popular career education event and register here!

A Packed House at the “Orange County & Vision 2020” Power Breakfast

In partnership with Rancho Santiago College District and the California Community Colleges, EXP hosted a power breakfast at the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce, “Orange County and Vision 2020: What does it look like now that 2020 is here?”. Keynote Speaker Linda DiMario, executive vice president, Economic Development & Tourism, Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce, addressed a full house of business leaders and educators. Afterwards, attendees gathered into breakout sessions to discuss the opportunities, challenges, gaps and the “disruptors” facing Orange County and the region. See photos here.

9th Annual GPS Your Future Event Opened the Doors to Career Discovery for Students

As EXP’s premier career discovery event - the 9th Annual GPS Your Future did not disappoint! The program took place at Long Beach City College on October 25, 2019. Nearly 500 9th and 10th grade high school students from around Southern California were introduced to more than 50 prospective employers from a wide cross-section of high-growth industries. Read more »

Employers! Your Valuable Insights are Requested

We are pleased to share that the Chancellor’s Office of California Community Colleges is spearheading a regional industry survey of the Global Trade and Logistics sector in an effort to prepare students for high wage, high growth careers! Identifying the skills needed most is their first step, and they need your help! Please click here to share with the top skills you desire when hiring global business/supply chain and logistics employees, and what degree(s) you seek out most. Your input will help them to better align curricula to your industry’s current and future needs. For more information or questions, please contact Ruth Amanuel, regional director, Employer Engagement, Global Trade - Los Angeles Region hosted at Long Beach City College.

EXP TEAM SPOTLIGHT

Introducing Three New Staff Members at EXP

EXP is bursting with talent! Meet our three newest additions to our exceptional EXP Team.

DENNIS JOHNSON joined the EXP Team last week as our Senior Program Manager. He brings to EXP extensive experience in both the education and non-profit worlds. Dennis earned a BA in Political Science from Chicago State University and a Master of Urban & Regional Planning from University of Michigan. He is currently a Doctor of Education candidate at CSU Long Beach with concentration on education leadership and administration, and his dissertation is on Linked Learning: The Black Experience.

KENIA TELLO joined our team earlier this month in the role of Program Manager. She is a passionate and thoughtful leader with ample program experience from ScholarMatch and UCLA, and has a drive to bring opportunities to under-served students. Kenia earned a BA in Political Science - International Relations from UC Santa Barbara and a college counseling certificate from UC San Diego Extension.

MARIA JIMENEZ AGUILAR - You could say Maria jumped in head-first as she joined EXP just four days before we held our annual GPS Your Future Career Day event for more than 500 students! In her role as Development and Marketing Coordinator, Maria assists the EXP marketing and development teams with database management, fundraising administration and marketing coordination. Maria earned a BA in Chicana/o Studies from UC Davis.

Hello Commissioner Nicole!

All of us at EXP are beaming with pride that Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson appointed our Director of Programs and Strategic Partnership, Nicole Martin Huezo, (second from left) to the Women’s Commission for California’s 64th Assembly District. As Commissioner, Nicole will serve in a volunteer capacity as an advisor to the Office of Assemblymember Gipson on issues involving women’s education. Congratulations, Nicole!

Amy’s Double Honors

In November, our CEO Amy Grat received the 2019 Global Trade Educator of the Year Award from WIT Los Angeles (Women in International Trade). She also was selected as this year’s Grand Marshal of the LA Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade, which took place on December 7. Congratulations, Amy!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Speakers Wanted: Women in STEM Career Day: Friday, February 21

Be a STEM inspiration! We’re looking for breakout session speakers, hands-on demonstrations and participant volunteers to be lunch-time mentors for female students on February 21st at our Women in STEM event at California State University Dominguez Hills. Email alejandra@expfuture.org to sign up. Read more »

Announcing POLA as Our Keeper of the Flame Honoree for the 20th Anniversary Oceans of Opportunity™ Event!

The word is out! The Port of Los Angeles will be honored with EXP's Keeper of the Flame Award as part of our Oceans of Opportunity 20th anniversary celebration!

Join Us for a Spectacular Evening! Seats are limited! Learn more info and reserve your sponsorships and tickets »

Mock Interview Day @ The Carson Center: Tuesday, April 7

Volunteers needed to help prepare our students for interviews for the EXP Internship Program: Powered by Prologis.. Bring your colleagues and sign up for one (or more) 2-hour time block with Alejandra via email at alejandra@expfuture.org. Read about last year’s event »

This year’s mock interview day is also generously supported by HSBC Bank.