Empowering Scholars Program

A Lived Experience-Based Career Readiness Programs

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As a First-Generation or Non-Traditional Student...

As first-generation or nontraditional students, our experiences and journeys often look different. We maybe bilingual, bicultural, or balancing multiple responsibilities while facing challenges such as lack of mentorship or the opportunity gap. At Aspira Consulting, we believe that our lived experiences are powerful assets in building meaningful careers. We provide a lived experience-based Career Readiness Programs to empower students to embrace their journey, translate their challenges into opportunities, and translate their experiences into a powerful career narrative.

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Empowering Scholars Program

Program Description

Our transformative Empowering Scholars Program, a lived experience-based career readiness program, is designed to prepare first-generation and nontraditional students for success. This immersive program offers a wealth of relatable real-life examples, practical tools, and proven strategies to help students harness their unique experiences and position them confidently in the workforce.

Program Topics

  • How to Tell Your First-Generation Story to Get Hired
  • Turning Adversity into Positive Career Traits
  • Demystifying Networking
  • How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
  • How to Successfully Interview Virtually

Key Lessons

  • Reframe your personal journey into a powerful career narrative
  • Turn adversity into professional strengths
  • Build social capital through your experiences and connections
  • Use self-awareness to overcome imposter syndrome
  • Learn to market yourself effectively to employers

Empowering Scholars Train-the-Trainer Program 

Our highly acclaimed Empowering Scholars Train-the-Trainer Program is designed specifically for college career counselors, staff, and faculty to gain the expertise to effectively deliver our lived experienced-based Career Readiness Program. This one-of-a-kind program equips your team to assist first-generation and nontraditional students in creating, managing, and advancing their career journeys.

Training + Integration + Sustainability

There’s a seismic shift happening in academic institutions regarding career readiness and workforce development.  Remote work, online learning, AI technology, micro-credentials, and the debate around the need for a 4-year degree are some of forces influencing academic institutions to reinvent their approach to preparing the future workforce.  At Aspira, we partner with you to help ride the waves of change by:

  • Professional development training
  • Integration with existing career readiness programs
  • A sustainability and growth plan for longterm impact

Empowering Scholars Academy

Academy Description

Our Empowering Scholars Academy is a comprehensive 10-week program that provides students with a holistic career preparation.  Using our lived experience framework, the Academy helps students embrace their journey and use their strengths to attract job opportunities.

Key Lessons

  • Reframe your personal journey into a relatable career narrative
  • Leveraging AI for career success
  • Create and promote your career portfolio
  • Build your professional brand
  • How to create a first-generation LinkedIn profile
  • Career Networking
  • Create a targeted resume
  • Communication etiquette
  • Effective and efficient job search techniques

Lived Experienced-Based Career Readiness
Workshops

We understand that not every institution needs a full program.  That’s why we also offer flexible workshops, whether for a plenary session, career fair, or student-parent event.  These sessions help students and families celebrate their journeys and recognize their experiences as a foundation for career success.

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Standard Workshops

  • Discovery Call
  • Up to 90-minute Plenary Session
  • Unlimited Attendees
  • Session Exercises
  • Optional Q&A
  • Bilingual workshops available
  • In-person, online, or hybrid

Workshop Topics

  • My Identity is My Superpower
  • How to Tell Your Story (Elevator Pitch)
  • Navigating Your Career Journey with AI: Strategies for Success
  • Leveraging AI to Build Your Professional Brand
  • Empowering Career Counselors with AI: Tools for Personalized Student Success
  • Turning Adversity into Positive Career Traits
  • Harnessing Social Capital for Career Success
  • Setting Boundaries & Navigating Family Expectations at Home & in the Workplace
  • Embracing Your Dreams through Education: Your Career Journey, Your Pace
  • Advancing Your Legacy: Your Career Success is the Key to Your Family’s Future
  • Strategies for Securing an Outstanding Internship
  • Embrace Imposter syndrome & Command Executive Presence
  • Mastering the Art of Informational Interviews
  • Crafting an Effective Resume Using AI & Professional Attire
  • What to Expect & How to Prepare for a Career Fair

Oscar and Angelica's take on telling your story as a BIPOC professional is refreshing and reassuring. Often students may feel that they have to lose their identity or culture to acclimate or "fit in" in the workplace, but Oscar and Angelica help students navigate the road to self-discovery and give them tips to finding their own voice and USING IT! I will continue to work with them and partner on other projects as I know that our students are benefitting greatly from their sessions!

Jennifer Merchant Director, Educational Programs and Partnerships, Guided Pathways at Fullerton College

Oscar helped our team at Pueblo Community College take our career development skills to the next level! We are more equipped to serve Latinx and first generation students in helping them accomplish their academic and career goals. He brings such a unique perspective to career development that is impactful and practical. I look forward to continue working with Oscar.

RaeAnn Gutierrez Higher Education Change Agent

Oscar and his team were asked to host professional development for our faculty at the start of the school year. Their positive attitude, ability to make everyone feel included in the conversation and their delivery of possibly the most difficult topic in a multicultural setting was outstanding. This dynamic organization is making waves and we are happy to not only be a part of it but also to support their work and recommend to anyone who is looking for that new spark within their team! Parabéns meu irmão!

Marleen Dinis Scientist turned Educational Leader

Oscar's presentation to our Latina Speakers and Coaches group was incredibly informative, engaging and filled with actionable steps our members can take.

Nancy Marmolejo Coach at Talent and Genius

Oscar is a passionate individual, visionary leader, and dynamic speaker! His zest for life and drive to empower others is impressive.

Melinda E. Ramirez Director of National Leadership Development Programs

Oscar’s keynote and Q&A session resonated and inspired us all. No doubt in my mind, Oscar Garcia is a proven leader and wonderful educator who positively shares meaningful stories and content that impacts student motivation and success. It motivates and inspires faculty, staff and our leadership.

Bill Davis Forbes School of Business & Technology, Lead Faculty/ Assistant Professor

Oscar has worked with our ERG a few times and has always executed wonderfully. He is very passionate about what he does and it translates when he speaks. He kept our people engaged and motivated us all.

Stephanie Carlos Co-Chair at UNIDOS ERG Collobrative

We were privileged to invite Oscar Garcia to our Hispanic Heritage Month - 2021 celebrations here at Oracle. His experiences, anecdotes and authenticity were a true inspiration to many of our OLA, Oracle Latino Alliance, members. Gracias Hermano!

Jesse Betancourt Principal Territoy Operations Analyst at Oracle

I have greatly enjoyed attending Oscar's webinars. They are engaging, interactive and a good of use time.I would recommend his webinars for team activities and for bringing people together to work towards a common goal.

Jasjeet Jhaj Channel Operations Manager at Aruba Networks

Educational Institutions We’ve
Delivered Training Include

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