EXP Insider: Spring into Action to Prepare Students for a Better Life

Join EXP staff and board members on Thursday, April 3, to raise $40,000 in 24 hours!

The Future is Working Giving Day is a 24-hour fundraiser to develop a stronger workforce for Orange County. You can help us spread the word now or start your own campaign today and help us reach the $40,000 goal! 

$20,000 in matching grants has already been secured, thanks to our friends C.J. Nord (in memory of Bob Nord), the Sharon D. Lund Foundation, and the Sun Family Foundation. And we’ve already got just a little head start with friends and family fundraiser at Hof’s Hut Seal Beach on Wednesday!

How you can help:

  1. Save this page and share the link with everyone you know.

  2. Be our champion and click “Fundraise” on that page to start your own campaign!

  3. Set your alarm to make your donation on Thursday, April 3. 

Together, we can provide opportunities to more students to unlock more doors and gain the confidence they need to succeed in school, career, and life! 

Get your tickets today for Oceans of Opportunity - May 8

Reserve your seats today and join other supporters, business and civic leaders, and friends of EXP at the 25th annual Oceans of Opportunity Awards and Scholarship Celebration. Let’s come together to celebrate a quarter-century of fueling career dreams, honoring the dedication of our partners and volunteers, and recognizing the achievements of our students and alumni. 

In addition to our inspirational honorees, we are excited to feature our very first partner school, Phineas Banning High School. 

  • Opening fanfare by the Mighty Marching Pilots

  • EXP alumni emcees Victor Ibarra of Marathon Petroleum Corporation and Nancy Perez of Phillips 66.

  • Photo booth by EXP alum and Honorary Mayor of Wilmington, Erick OjedaGarcia. 

  • Desserts from MATCH Academy (Maritime, Agriculture, Tourism, Culinary, and Hospitality), thanks to lead teacher and EXP alum, Chef Sal Avila. 

We hope to see you there! 

EXP Internship Program Update

Did you know EXP summer interns have a 99% graduation rate? The EXP Internship Program is in full swing right now! As our career-readiness workshops are wrapping up, mock interviews are taking place at all of our schools! These summer internship hopefuls will need all the support you can give them. After all, all it takes is just that one opportunity for these students to build their confidence and gain the experience they need to succeed in school, career, and life!

  • Will you host an intern this summer? Join our 20+ organizations who have already pledged to host our interns this summer, July through August for 4 or 6 weeks of 10-30 hours a week. We make it easy for YOU to change the life of a high school student! Connect with Trevor (below) to learn how hosting an intern can benefit your business and the ins and outs of becoming an internship host employer.

  • Will you donate to the Internship Program Fund? Every dollar counts to ensure interns receive economic support during their summer internship. Fuel student access to future careers today!  

EXP Internship Program Manager, Trevor Amy

Say hello and welcome to Trevor Amy, Internship Program Manager!

As our Internship Program Manager, Trevor engages industry partners and manages student preparation and program delivery. You can reach him at trevor@expfuture.org and internship@expfuture.org. 

Trevor has worked in the biomedical research industry, designing marketing and educational materials and leading in marketing, e-commerce, and design initiatives.  

Inspired by a lifelong connection to education as the son of a public school teacher who dedicated 40 years to the profession, Trevor has a passion for mentorship and education. He continues volunteering with his alma mater, CSU Long Beach, with resume writing, portfolio review, and project critiques. He has also been an EXP mock interview volunteer since 2017. 

“I love connecting with people, learning their passions, and sharing in their journeys,” said Trevor. “I'm so excited to join the EXP team and support their mission to prepare our youth for the future.”

Your Support in Action

Good Day and Sunshine at Women in STEM Career Day

Nearly 400 students attended the 9th annual EXP’s Women in STEM Career Day from 14 high schools across Southern California. More than 130 professionals volunteered their time and talent, including 35 panelists and our keynote speaker, Dr. Mayra Austin of Management Cues. The volunteers’ commitment to show up for our students despite the looming rain meant so much for our students. We are grateful for your participation! 

You get a field trip! YOU get a field trip! Everyone gets a field trip! 

Our program managers have been making great connections with companies all across Southern California! On these job shadow days, our students get to experience a real workplace, explore career possibilities, and expand their horizons! Thanks to our most recent hosts:

  • J.B. Hunt and BNSF in Barstow

  • Google Los Angeles HQ

  • Snap Inc.

  • Loyola Marymount University

Would you like to host our students at your work? Fill out our interest form here! 

EXP Program Manager Jose Benitez

Welcome Program Manager Jose Benitez!

We’re also excited to welcome Jose to our Program team, focusing on our Orange County schools! Jose has extensive experience in workforce development, where he has designed and implemented impactful training programs tailored to meet industry needs.

Jose has extensive experience in workforce development, where he has designed and implemented impactful training programs tailored to meet industry needs.

"I joined EXP because I believe in the company's message of spreading opportunities to the communities that we serve,” said Jose. “I am looking forward to working with a group of diverse and talented individuals who care deeply about the future of education, our workforce, and ensuring that every child we interact with can thrive."

Like Trevor, Jose is also a graduate of CSU Long Beach with a bachelor's degree in Creative Writing. He is currently pursuing his MBA at UC Irvine. 

We need YOU! - Volunteer Opportunities

Upcoming Events

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