Theory of Change

Increase the Quantity
and Quality of Relationships

Career guidance and support through innovative social capital and network development expands the circle of opportunities for individuals and forms the critical connections they need to make realizing those opportunities tangible.

Opportunity for Change

>70%

jobs are identified primarily through network connections

 

45%

of those network connections are family connections (immigrant families don't have as strong connections to access internships)

 
 

>50%

of all first jobs are received through internships people hold -- but, our population of individuals do not hold these internships.

 
 
 

85%

of internships are identified through network connections

 
 
 
 

1:600

is the average school counselor to student ratio reach, especially in high needs schools, when the recommended is 1:250

 
 
 
 
 

1:250

counselor to student ratio results in an 18 point increase on each SAT section and lower ratios result in first-gen college going students applying to and accepted into more target colleges than continuing-gen peers in higher ratio schools

Through our activities, individuals:

  • develop a network of culturally responsive peers and champions

  • gain internship experience and learn career and leadership skills

  • get a head start on the college and career process

  • develop social-emotional skills and improve academic performance

  • possess more self-agency

  • help uplift communities

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Why the new name?

 SPEAK Mentorship to SPEAKHIRE

Individuals from immigrant families struggle with getting the skills needed to prepare for their careers. As a result, many settle for jobs they are overqualified for, earning about $30,000 or less than where they could be starting.

More than 80% of internships and first jobs are landed through networks, yet only 3% of students report that counselors have any real impact on their career pathway choice. SPEAK has always been about mobilizing the next generation of workforce leaders and we’ve moved beyond mentorship to do that. We thought our name should better reflect our goal.

SUPPORT PREPARE EMPOWER ALL KIND...towards economic opportunity through the connections we make, the relationships we build, and the conversations we help initiate, so our future leaders can get greater opportunities like applying to the right colleges, getting into internships, and the highest paid first job that leads to career satisfaction.  We want our future leaders to get HIRED by having us SPEAK higher for them and propel them towards successful career pathways.

Join us in Developing Tomorrow's Leaders and SPEAKHIRE!