Did you know that high school students in San Diego County can explore careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) before they even graduate? United Way of San Diego County is making this possible through our STEAM-to-Careers after-school program and Dream with STEAM summer program, empowering teens with hands-on experience, mentorship, and career readiness skills.
Since launching these programs, United Way of San Diego County has:
- Engaged 673 students in the STEAM-to-Careers after-school program
- Supported 156 students in the Dream with STEAM summer program
- Provided over $171,500 in educational awards to remove financial barriers
Teens who participate report feeling more confident, accomplished, and ready for life after graduation. Watch this short video to hear directly from the students themselves.
Preparing Teens for the Jobs of Tomorrow
In today’s rapidly changing economy, STEAM fields are shaping the careers of the future. In fact:
- The science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce accounted for 24% of U.S. workers in 2021 (source).
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in STEM occupations is projected to grow at twice the rate (10.8%) of overall employment (5.3%) through 2031.
- Research shows that a lack of awareness is the primary reason students don’t pursue STEM careers. In a recent survey, 42% of adults said they would have considered a STEM career if they had better understood the opportunities available.
STEAM occupations offer a realistic opportunity to earn a living wage in San Diego County, a region with one of the nation’s highest costs of living, according to a 2025 Times of San Diego article on affordability in the region. By introducing high school students to these industries early, we help them discover their passions, gain practical skills, and chart a path forward. Our programs don’t just teach concepts, they bring them to life through real-world projects, interactive workshops, and career guidance.
Students see tangible results from their efforts. For example, those in the creative writing track become published authors in a collective book of poetry and short stories, while students in the healthcare track can earn certifications such as CPR. Across all tracks, teens also learn essential career skills, including resume writing, interview preparation, salary research, and building professional LinkedIn profiles.
Mentorship That Makes a Difference
One of the most impactful elements of our programs is mentorship. Students are introduced to professionals who provide guidance, answer questions, and show them what it takes to thrive in STEAM careers.
Children and young adults cannot be what they cannot see. Our STEAM programs invite community professionals to play a vital role in ensuring kids gain exposure to these fields and help them imagine their own futures in these careers. These relationships provide students with relatable role models who inspire them to aim high.
STEAM-to-Careers: Hands-On Learning After School
The STEAM-to-Careers program focuses on high school students from historically underserved communities like Escondido and Lincoln Heights. Through after-school sessions (and in some cases, Saturday sessions), students dive into interactive science and engineering projects, healthcare training, creative writing, and career readiness workshops.
They also benefit from special guest speakers and hands-on resume-building, giving them the tools and confidence to pursue future careers they may not have known existed before participating in the STEAM-to-Careers program.
Dream with STEAM: Expanding Opportunities in the Summer
Our Dream with STEAM summer program takes learning beyond the classroom. Students visit a number of local companies and organizations to explore different industries and meet professionals in STEAM fields. Some of the places students have visited in recent years include:
- UC San Diego Health
- Eli Lilly
- KPBS
- Dr. Bronner’s
- Taylor Guitars
- San Diego Safari Park
- Solar Turbines
- PCL Construction
- SDGE
- Solar Turbines
- SeaWorld
- Booz Allen
- Cubic
- Maverick Manufacturing
- Alaska Airlines
- Illumina
By visiting these sites, hearing from professionals about their personal career journeys, and seeing what’s possible, students gain inspiration and clarity about their own career paths.
Here’s what our students have said about their field trips:
“Dr. Bronner’s was really cool and made me think more about biochemistry outside of a purely medical or lab context.”
“The most memorable moment was the Alaska Airlines field trip, and being able to actually interact with what we were doing made it just memorable!”
“UWSD’s STEAM-to-Careers program at Escondido High School allowed me to discover my passion for space. An SDG&E field trip led me to DREAM with STEAM, MIT programs, and a NASA internship where I designed a lunar base and learned to code. Now, I’m pursuing aerospace for my career.” – Angela Tran, Escondido High School Student & STEAM-to-Careers Program Ambassador
Removing Financial Barriers
Students from low-income backgrounds often face financial barriers that limit access to extracurricular programs or unpaid internships. Many need paid after-school or summer jobs to help their families cover basic expenses like rent and groceries, leaving little room for unpaid career-building opportunities.
Through our STEAM-to-Careers and Dream with STEAM programs, students receive an educational award that helps remove these barriers, ensuring talented students from all economic backgrounds can access meaningful work experiences, professional networks, and pathways to career advancement.
Since launching these programs, United Way of San Diego County has provided over $171,500 in educational awards to remove financial barriers.
Join Us in Preparing the Next Generation
With the support of donors and community partners, United Way of San Diego County is working to expand the program across more neighborhoods in the county, helping even more teens build confidence, connections, and skills for careers of the future.
If you’re an educator, donor, or company interested in supporting STEAM education and career development for teens, we invite you to learn how to get involved. Together, we can ensure students across San Diego County have the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving job market. Learn more about STEAM-to-Careers and Dream with STEAM at uwsd.org/steam-to-careers