Chicago-Based Nonprofit Announces New Initiative To Help Community College Students Access High-Growth Industries
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CHICAGO, July 17, 2025 ~ Chicago-based nonprofit One Million Degrees (OMD) has announced a new initiative aimed at helping community college students access career paths in high-growth industries. The program, called OMD Works, will provide students with paid internships, apprenticeships, and mentorship opportunities through a network of Chicago-based companies.

According to Dr. Rita Raichoudhuri, chief program officer at OMD, the organization recognizes that community college students need more than just classroom resources to succeed in today's rapidly evolving economy. They also need real-world work experience to put their degrees to use and achieve upward mobility for themselves and their families.

A 2024 report from the Center for Community College Student Engagement found that while most community college students have chosen a career path, nearly half feel uninformed about their earning potential and in-demand jobs in their region. Additionally, access to internships and other work-based learning experiences is crucial for success after graduation. Students who complete a paid internship receive more job offers, earn more money throughout their careers, and are more confident in their ability to communicate their skills to potential employers.

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To address this gap, OMD Works aims to remove barriers to meaningful work experiences by providing holistic support for community college students. The program will roll out in three phases, beginning with a pilot cohort of 100 students who will learn directly from employers and earn internship opportunities through partner organizations during the summer of 2025.

To expand the reach and impact of OMD Works, the organization has partnered with five Chicago-area employers committed to providing career opportunities for City Colleges students. These employer partners include global legal technology company Relativity, credit ratings agency Morningstar, financial services company Wintrust, technology solutions provider CDW, and cloud-based platform CCCIS.

Relativity's Manager of Talent Pathways Programming Sean Neilsen expressed the company's commitment to investing in emerging talent as a way to strengthen communities and build a skilled workforce for the future. He believes that the OMD Works program will not only help students launch meaningful careers but also create a stronger connection between businesses in the region and the talent they need to succeed.

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OMD Works builds on OMD's existing partnership with City Colleges of Chicago, which provides students with wraparound support such as tutoring, success coaching, and scholarship assistance. Through this new initiative, students will have access to paid work experiences aligned with their career interests and academic programs, as well as one-on-one career coaching and professional mentorship.

The launch of OMD Works was made possible with generous support from Enova, a Chicago-based financial technology company that has been a longstanding supporter of OMD's work. Employers interested in participating in OMD Works can choose from multiple partnership levels, including hosting interns, providing professional mentors, or offering industry-specific training. More information can be found on OMD's website at http://onemilliondegrees.org/employers.
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