TGR Foundation expands summer career-readiness programs for 193 students

TGR Foundation connected 193 high school students with college and career-readiness experiences this summer through programs in Southern California and Philadelphia. The intensives linked students with universities and employers including Genesis, 2K, Snap Inc. and the Claremont Colleges as the nonprofit prepares to open a new Learning Lab in Los Angeles.

Why it matters: - TGR Foundation is using career-connected learning to help students explore college and job pathways before graduation. - The summer programs give students access to workplaces, campuses and professionals that many first-generation and under-resourced students may not otherwise reach. - The experiences are meant to build transferable skills, confidence and clearer next-step plans for college and careers.

What happened: - TGR Foundation provided intensive career- and college-readiness experiences to 193 high school students through local programming at its TGR Learning Labs in Southern California and Philadelphia. - Two summer intensives anchored the effort: College and Career Bound Academy and Career Explorer Academy. - College and Career Bound Academy is a one-week or two-week in-person program focused on college and career success. - Career Explorer Academy entered its second year and accepted 85 students into four pathways: engineering, healthcare, computer science and digital media. - Students in the Southern California and Philadelphia programs visited colleges, universities and employers, including Genesis, 2K, Snap Inc., Blue Robotics, St. Jude Medical Center, Chapman University, Cheyney University, Haverford College, JPMorgan Chase, LPA and the Claremont Colleges.

The details: - College and Career Bound Academy sessions included workshops on study habits, academic resumes, college lists, personal statements and financial aid. - Each session ended with an industry or university tour. - Three CCBA sessions were held at the flagship TGR Learning Lab Anaheim. - Anaheim participants visited LPA, Blue Robotics and the Claremont Colleges, a consortium of seven institutions in Claremont, California. - Students in the Los Angeles area took part in a CCBA session that included a visit to Chapman University as TGR Foundation prepares to open its third TGR Learning Lab in Los Angeles. - Members of the Smilow Woodland TGR Learning Lab in Philadelphia toured Cheyney University or Haverford College and JPMorgan Chase. - Career Explorer Academy students spent the week exploring career possibilities in their chosen track while building knowledge and skills. - At the end of Career Explorer Academy, professionals from Genesis Design Studio, 2K Visual Concepts Studio, Snap Inc. and St. Jude Medical Center hosted private tours, career panels and networking sessions. - Miguel, a senior who participated in the Anaheim CCBA session, said the Learning Lab gave access to an experience that would otherwise have been difficult to secure. - Hasna, a senior at Cypress High School in the automotive pathway, said the Genesis Design Studio visit helped clarify the range of jobs in vehicle design and engineering.

Between the lines: - The program is built around a “learn about work, through work and at work” model that combines classroom-style preparation with direct exposure to employers. - The structure suggests TGR Foundation is trying to reduce the gap between classroom learning and real-world expectations. - Partner organizations also gain access to student perspectives and fresh ideas, which Blue Robotics described as a source of inspiration and innovation. - The emphasis on first-generation college access points to a broader goal: making higher education feel more attainable, not just more familiar.

What's next: - TGR Learning Lab members will continue to have access to industry visits and other opportunities throughout the year. - TGR Foundation is seeking additional hosts for industry visits, guest speakers and career-connected learning experiences through TGRFoundation.org. - The foundation is preparing to open its third TGR Learning Lab in Los Angeles.

The bottom line: - TGR Foundation is expanding a hands-on pipeline that connects teens with colleges, employers and career pathways while reinforcing its broader youth education mission.