Hispanic Career Pathways Initiative
In 2019, HSF was awarded a $30.7 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. for the creation of the Hispanic Career Pathways Initiative (HCPI), a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind program, with the goal of supporting Hispanic students as they navigate each step of their path from college to career. This grant will help HSF provide a continuum of career support programs and services designed to give Hispanic college students the knowledge, networks, and skills needed to find meaningful employment in their field of interest, and achieve career success in a knowledge-driven, global economy.
In conjunction with the efforts of the initiative, HSF—the nation’s largest nonprofit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education—will continue to empower Latino families, nationwide, with the knowledge and resources needed to successfully complete a higher education, while providing scholarships and support services to as many exceptional Hispanic American students as possible.
Set to launch at the end of 2020, HCPI will offer a multi-tiered approach to providing career discernment and career development directly to hundreds of thousands of Hispanic college students nationwide. HCPI programs will include:
HSF University: Career Pathways Curriculum—HSF will develop the HSF University Career Pathways Curriculum, a comprehensive, self-paced online program that helps students navigate the essential elements of career preparation and planning. Curriculum modules will include topics such as: how to land an internship, how to select the right job for your skill level, how to succeed in the workplace, and how to manage stress in college.
Personalized Career Discernment, Guidance, and Support—The HCPI technology platform will link students who complete the career pathways curriculum and take the HCPI career assessment with career coaches and mentors from the HSF Alumni and Advisory Council network, and from HSF local and national corporate partners. Matches will be made based on student needs, preferences, and interests.
HCPI Annual Convening— Each year, the HCPI Convening will bring together representatives from the Higher Education Consortium (HEC) and the Employer Consortium (EC) to, among other things, examine HCPI program data, highlight emerging best practices in career services, identify opportunities for enhancing HCPI, and facilitate engagement between HEC and EC members.
Internships—Corporate partners participating in the EC will provide opportunities for internships and full-time employment to students who complete the HCPI curriculum. These students can also draw upon HSF’s network of institutional and corporate partners for additional experiential learning opportunities.
Career Connection Days—In collaboration with university partners, Career Connection Days are half-day programs where students will learn about the core concepts of resume building, interview skills, and navigating their pathways towards career success. Students will also have the opportunity to gain insights from Career Services representatives and alumni who have succeeded in their career pursuits. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided and there is no cost to attend. Specific campus location details will be shared with registered guests.