Close The Gap Foundation

We’re excited to be awarded a STEM Action Grant from the Society for Science! The STEM Action Grant program aims to develop an inclusive STEM talent pool by strengthening and improving outcomes for underrepresented groups in STEM education and careers. Funds from this grant will help us continue our work making STEM accessible to all. https://bit.ly/4gZzm5U

Fellowship 2024 Is officially over!!! Over the weekend our amazing Fellows showed off their incredible Social Impact Projects during Pitch Day. Our Fellows tackled a variety of issues in their community and made a real change this summer. Congratulations to our Finalists: Franseph Dhane Garcia - Hosted a set of workshops focussed on College Readiness. Munira M. - Setup virtual English lessons for women in Afghanistan. Morelia Razo - Created a series of financial literacy workshops for students in the community. Ailanny Nguyen - Hosted an Arts & Crafts workshop for individuals with developmental disabilities. Fatima Ecobar - Provided resources and held webinars to build better dietary habits. We also want to thank our amazing panelists for volunteering their time to help make pitch day possible. Thank you Caitlin Sullivan Maggie Zuhlke Stephanie Kwok Celia Poon Stuart Kerst Jasmine Hobson Rodriguez Lauryn (Holloway) Valerio, Ed.D Rhonda Price Tariro Kandemiri Julia Park Indigo Parlin John L. Hansen David Guerrero Jefferey L. Cecilia Liang William Nguyen Kailun Hu Zhan Jovanovski Justus Griffith Sushma Kiran Naomi Moriwaki Will Moriwaki We want to thank Mayor Pat Showalter for joining us and showing support for the next generation of change-makers.

Our alumni are incredible, and Angelica Benitez is no exception. Growing up in Compton, California, she has witnessed the generational cycles in her community and is determined to help others by exposing them to different career paths, like coding! She has led multiple panels and continues to be a constant inspiration to us all. Check out the blog post to see what she's been up to since her time as a Close the Gap fellow! 👩💻 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eN_VAnnm

We know summer just ended, but many tech companies are already planning for the next one, and you should be too! A lot of companies have already started posting their openings for summer 2025. Here are some SWE openings to apply to today: SWE Intern at American Express: https://lnkd.in/eR39t2eV SWE Intern at Adobe: https://lnkd.in/efSxQVHy SWE Intern at Figma: https://lnkd.in/eXmX5iUm SWE Intern at Salesforce: https://lnkd.in/ehRHvSAH SWE Intern at Stripe: https://lnkd.in/e4rFvTUj If you found this helpful and want more information on other roles, sign up for our free internship dashboard! You'll get access to a curated list of internships across various fields. So, don't worry if you're not interested in SWE roles; we have opportunities across different disciplines as well. ⭐ 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e5vPEAjM

We know summer just ended, but many tech companies are already planning for the next one, and you should be too! A lot of companies have already started posting their openings for summer 2025. Here are some SWE openings to apply to today: SWE Intern at American Express: https://lnkd.in/eR39t2eV SWE Intern at Adobe: https://lnkd.in/efSxQVHy SWE Intern at Figma: https://lnkd.in/eXmX5iUm SWE Intern at Salesforce: https://lnkd.in/ehRHvSAH SWE Intern at Stripe: https://lnkd.in/e4rFvTUj If you found this helpful and want more information on other roles, sign up for our free internship dashboard! You'll get access to a curated list of internships across various fields. So, don't worry if you're not interested in SWE roles; we have opportunities across different disciplines as well. ⭐ 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e5vPEAjM

We're excited to share the inspiring journey of one of our amazing alumni, Eber Herrera! From winning the prestigious Burger King Scholarship to pursuing a passion for animation, this story is all about following your dreams and making a lasting impact. 🎨 Read the full blog post now! 👇 https://lnkd.in/eJ2KNQGp

🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟 Close the Gap Foundation is thrilled to launch our 6th Annual Social Impact Fellowship and introduce our inaugural Self-Led Program! 🎉 This year, we're expanding our efforts to empower underrepresented youth, including first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students, providing them with the tools, resources, and mentorship needed to make a real difference in their communities. Our Social Impact Fellowship is designed to nurture the next generation of leaders, offering hands-on experience and guidance from industry professionals. And, for the first time, our Self-Led Program allows participants to design and execute their own projects, fostering innovation and leadership skills. Join us on this journey to create lasting social impact. Learn more about these exciting opportunities and how we're making a difference! 🔗 The full press release and donation link are in the comments below. #SocialImpact #YouthEmpowerment #CloseTheGap #Nonprofit #FGLI #Leadership #Innovation

🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟 Close the Gap Foundation is thrilled to launch our 6th Annual Social Impact Fellowship and introduce our inaugural Self-Led Program! 🎉 This year, we're expanding our efforts to empower underrepresented youth, including first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students, providing them with the tools, resources, and mentorship needed to make a real difference in their communities. Our Social Impact Fellowship is designed to nurture the next generation of leaders, offering hands-on experience and guidance from industry professionals. And, for the first time, our Self-Led Program allows participants to design and execute their own projects, fostering innovation and leadership skills. Join us on this journey to create lasting social impact. Learn more about these exciting opportunities and how we're making a difference! 🔗 The full press release and donation link are in the comments below. #SocialImpact #YouthEmpowerment #CloseTheGap #Nonprofit #FGLI #Leadership #Innovation

Advice for students wrapping up their internships...📝 Reflect on Your Experience 💭 Assess your growth and skills. Take some time to evaluate the projects you worked on, the challenges you overcame, and the new skills you developed. Seek Feedback 🗣️ Ask your supervisor for constructive feedback. Schedule a one-on-one meeting to discuss your performance, ask what you did well, and identify areas for improvement. This shows your commitment to personal growth. If applicable, ask if you are on track for a return offer or what future opportunities with the company might look like. Network 🤝 Strengthen connections with colleagues and mentors. Reach out to coworkers to express your gratitude for their support and to maintain professional relationships. Connect with them on LinkedIn and consider setting up informational interviews to learn more about their career paths and gain valuable insights. Document Achievements 📚 Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with the skills and accomplishments from your internship. Be specific about the projects you worked on and the impact you made. Include any quantifiable results to highlight your contributions. Show Appreciation 🤩 Write personalized thank-you notes to those who have mentored and supported you during your internship. A handwritten note or a thoughtful email can leave a lasting impression and demonstrate your gratitude. For more tips like this, subscribe to First Gen Focus for free—our newsletter sharing advice, internship and scholarship opportunities, and more! https://lnkd.in/gF3pgq44

Introducing another cohort leader, Yariktza Coronado!! We are thrilled to welcome her back to the CTG family. Wishing her the best of luck this summer as a cohort leader and next fall at CSU Fullerton! 🎉✨