Helping students thrive after high school requires more than academics—it takes hands-on learning, real-world skills, and trusted mentors. Providing those extra opportunities to students is the mission behind the 25-hour Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) Career Paths to Success program, which finished its third year of summer training last week.
SCOE’s Career Pipeline workforce development initiative offered the program at five sites in June, providing interactive, in-person training to a diverse group of 121 students and recent graduates from Elk Grove USD, Sacramento City USD, and SCOE schools. Topics included:
- Peer Mentorship
- Financial Literacy
- 21st Century Workplace Skills
- Paying for College (FAFSA)
- The Eight Dimensions of Mental Health and Wellness
Students also explored postsecondary education options, received guidance on résumé writing, and explored careers in education (including early learning and school-based mental health and wellness). Those who completed the program earned a $500 stipend—an incentive designed to encourage full participation.
The summer program supports SCOE’s broader vision of strengthening and diversifying the local workforce by developing skilled, motivated individuals who are prepared to serve their communities. Career Paths to Success creates an accessible entry point into the education and mental health fields. It’s particularly focused on supporting those who are representative of SCOE’s own students, encouraging them to pursue local education careers.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with students reporting that they gained confidence, learned to speak up, and felt supported in planning their futures. “Everything we did felt like we did it together as a family,” reported one of the participants.
Career Paths to Success is made possible through strong collaboration with local school districts, including Elk Grove Unified School District and Sacramento City Unified School District.
For more information about Career Paths to Success, email careerpipeline@scoe.net.
Fall 2025 Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Conference
Career Pipeline, in collaboration with the Mental Behavioral Health Workforce Advisory, will be hosting a Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Conference on October 15, 2025. The goal is to bring together high school students, educators, Local Educational Agencies, and community members to highlight best practices and implementation strategies for peer-to-peer and near-peer mentorship programs. The conference will also provide information about Mental Behavioral Health career pathway opportunities for transitional age youth.