For generations, earning a college degree was seen as the surest path to a stable career. But today, even graduates are facing an uncertain job market, with unemployment among new college degree holders reaching its highest point in decades.
A recent report by The Burning Glass Institute, “No Country for Young Grads,” describes the unemployment gap between those with just a high school diploma and those with a bachelor’s degree as the smallest it has been in decades.
While there are factors contributing to this, including the rapid rise of AI and ongoing economic uncertainty, there’s no doubt that new graduates are feeling the pinch.
For students in Immokalee, however, the story looks different. By the time they graduate, our students aren’t just hoping for opportunity, they’re prepared to seize it.
The Immokalee Foundation is the region’s only organization providing a full continuum of support beginning with literacy intervention in elementary school and continuing through career exploration, immersion, and postsecondary education, leading to long-term career success. Immokalee Foundation students enter the workforce with a competitive edge.
Here are six ways we are making that happen.
Career Pathways
Career Pathways is the underlying principle that drives our full array of after-school and summer programs and services, empowering students for career success. In 2019, we redesigned our college preparatory program to become more career focused. We also discovered that nationally, over a third of college graduates are in jobs for which they are overqualified, earning a salary that is below their education level.
To address this issue, we adopted a research-based, data-driven approach to identify well-paying job categories in high demand that lead to professional careers in Southwest Florida. These “Career Pathways” include Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management, and Healthcare.
By creating a career model that prepares our students for professional careers within these in-demand fields, we increase their chances of being hired while helping meet the region’s workforce needs.
Career Exploration in Middle School
A 2024 study titled “Extending the Runway” by American Student Assistance shows that students “who have a longer career exploration runway are better positioned to make more informed decisions along their education journey.” Starting early in middle school helps students feel less stressed compared to their high school counterparts.
At the Immokalee Foundation, middle school students get a head start on their future through robust programming focused on career exploration in the four Career Pathways. This includes career panels, field trips, STEM camp, and workshops.
By the time they complete eighth grade, they have completed a career action plan with a career guidance counselor that lays the groundwork for their career immersion journey throughout their high school years.
Internships and Industry Certifications
By the time they graduate high school — the Career Immersion phase of their Immokalee Foundation journey — 100% of our students earn an industry certification and complete a four-week paid internship, gaining invaluable hands-on experience while working alongside employers, mentors, and industry experts. These opportunities strengthen their resumes while helping them build meaningful connections with local businesses.
Before starting their internship, each student earns a Fundamentals of Workforce Readiness Certification from FGCU, which provides them with basic principles to help them excel in the workplace from day one.
Mentorships
Middle and high school students are paired with volunteer mentors who agree to provide mentor support twice per month, often building relationships that extend beyond graduation and into their careers. Mentorships not only help foster greater self-confidence, well-being, and academic achievement, but they also contribute to long-term career success.
A research study spanning 30 years found that “mentored youth experienced a 15% increase in earnings between ages 20 and 25, and by age 65 earned $56,000 more than their non-mentored peers. Additionally, the findings suggest that the mentoring program may help mitigate persistently low rates of intergenerational socioeconomic mobility, revealing that the intervention can reduce up to two-thirds of the long-term socioeconomic disadvantage associated with poverty in childhood.” Mentored students are also more likely to attend college.
Summer Learning
While many students across the country spend their summers on vacation, ours take bold steps toward their futures. They participate in summer learning programs at FGCU that are strategically aligned with our year-round, career-building curriculum. These include middle school STEM enrichment and our focused Pathway camps in Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management, and Healthcare.
Our summer programs do more than prevent the typical “summer slide” in academics. They serve as essential building blocks for long-term academic achievement and career readiness.
Soft Skills Development
Soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are no longer “nice-to-haves.” They are now “must-haves” in a world reshaped by technology and AI. In fact, a 2024 LinkedIn survey found that 9 out of 10 global executives agree that soft skills are more critical than ever.
The Immokalee Foundation incorporates soft skills development throughout its programming, including networking events, interview training, and FGCU’s Roots of Compassion and Kindness (ROCK) initiative. True to its name, ROCK teaches students the basic principles of compassion and spreading goodwill, which leads to positive behavioral outcomes.
When meeting an Immokalee Foundation student, you are greeted with a firm handshake, confident eye contact, and a genuine smile. These small gestures reflect a larger foundation of character and a deep appreciation for a community that supported their dreams and their inevitable Career Success!
