Programs

Enhancing career awareness, curiosity, and academic preparation

Programs supported by Bay Area LEEDS are based on a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum—a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach to learning that couples academic concepts with real-world lessons. These programs enable teachers and students to better understand and connect to STEM-based career opportunities. Programs are designed to extend learning beyond the classroom, beyond the school day, and beyond the school year.

Our region’s employers understand the need for a knowledge workforce. These businesses and organizations are in the best position to support and participate in our programs that enhance the career awareness, curiosity, and academic preparation of middle school and high school students.

Through decades of research, we know that students need to be exposed to a career development continuum throughout their K-12 experience which includes:

CAREER EXPOSURE: Brings students to workplaces for short periods of time with the goal of gaining introductory information about industries, associated occupations and a variety of post-secondary options aligned with careers of interest. Models for high school students include job shadows, company tours, mentoring, simulations and informational interviews.

CAREER ENGAGEMENT: Provides students with extended opportunities to increase their knowledge of an identified field of interest and gain employability skills and some entry-level technical knowledge or skills. Models for high school students include internships, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeship readiness and service learning.

CAREER EXPERIENCE: Engages students as paid workers to gain specific skills — in conjunction with related classroom or lab instruction, which may include opportunities to earn college credit — in a particular industry or occupation. Models for high school students include youth apprenticeship.

Here are some of the many ways you can get connected to the many high-quality events we provide.