Historical Overview
- The Center for Corporate & Educational Initiatives at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts began their first national project in 1986. The name of the project is "Career Beginnings," a school improvement and youth development strategy, designed to work with students during key life transitions.
- In 1986, California State University, Bakersfield is selected to pilot Career Beginnings and with the financial and technical support of Employers' Training Resource begins providing a menu of services and community connections to many students in the county.
- From 1986 through 1994, over 50 cities from coast-to-coast are involved; more than 40,000 students participated. On the ground, almost every student graduates on time and over 80% of the students enroll in college. Attrition is consistently less than 10%.
- In 2000, Career Beginnings becomes part of the Workforce Investment Act (W.I.A.) and begins to include Out-of-School Youth (OSY) as program participants.
- In 2003, Dr. William Bloomfield, one of the founders of Career Beginnings, congratulates the Bakersfield program for remaining strong and dedicated to the national program's ideals.
- In 2003, Career Beginnings initiates partnerships with the Owens Valley Career Development Center and the Kern County Migrant Education Program - Region V.
- In 2004, Career Beginnings opens its first satellite site at Kern Valley High School in Lake Isabella.
- In 2005, Career Beginnings celebrates its 20th anniversary of summer programming at CSUB.
- In 2006, Career Beginnings opens its second satellite site at Tehachapi High School.
- In 2007, Career Beginnings joins in partnership with the Gear Up Program.