✦ Partner Program
LA-Tech.org

Evolve Fellows Program

Selective 3-year leadership and career accelerator for first-gen BIPOC college students in LA pursuing STEAM and business careers.

12405 Venice Blvd. #125, Los Angeles, CA 90066

🎯 Workforce Development Program
💸 altAid Eligible
Hybrid
Part-time
Program at a glance
Paid TrainingTotal cost
3 yearsProgram length
*Completion rate
~$85KMedian grad salary
* This program doesn't collect and report this data. The median salary is a Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate for Business Operation Specialist

Annual cohort — 50 Fellows selected per year beginning their sophomore year of college.

No experience required

Program Philosophy

First-generation college students often navigate college without access to the networks, guidance, or resources that shape career outcomes. The Evolve Fellows Program was built to close that gap — a three-year, high-touch leadership and career accelerator for first-gen BIPOC students across LA's CSU and UC campuses. Built by first-gen professionals, the program pairs sustained coaching, financial support, and community with career access, ensuring Fellows don't just graduate but launch. Through four pillars of empowerment — self, academic, career, and financial — Evolve invests in 50 Fellows per year through degree completion and beyond.

Started in 2024

Visit program website

Best For

First-gen BIPOC sophomores at CSU/UC LA campuses pursuing STEAM or business careers

Time Commitment

Multi-year structured engagement that combines ongoing coaching, professional development workshops, internship search support, industry exposure (panels, site visits, networking), and peer community building from sophomore year through graduation.

What You'll Gain

$1,500 annual stipend, 1+ internship before graduation, mentorship, and STEAM/business career pathway

Cost & Outcomes

🙌🏽 Paid Training
💵 Earn a Stipend
program cost

This program is completely free for all participants. Each year this leadership and career accelerator offers participants a $1,500 stipend plus access to professional development funds and emergency financial support. This is a 3-year program.

💸 Financial Assistance
how altAid funding can helpBooks and course materials; transportation between campus, internships, and networking events; professional attire for industry events; technology and software for coursework and internships; food and basic needs during full-time school and internship periods
Learn more about altAid
*Completion rate (most recent cohort)
*Employment rate within 1 year
~$85KThe median salary for Business Operation Specialist
50+Total graduates since founding
* This program doesn't collect and report this data. The median salary is a Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate for Business Operation Specialist.

Who This Program is Built For

This program was specifically designed with these communities in mind. If you see yourself, you belong here.

BIPOC
Low-income
First-Gen College Students

What Sets This Program Apart

Three-year, high-touch career accelerator (sophomore year through graduation)

50 Fellows selected per year — selective cohort

$1,500 annual stipend plus access to professional development funds and emergency financial support

Four Pillars of Empowerment: Self, Academic, Career, Financial

Guaranteed pathway to at least one internship before graduation

Built by first-gen professionals for first-gen students

Backed by the LA Economic Empowerment Alliance, LeadersUp, and the Kayne Foundation

Day in the Life

Daily Structure
  • Career planning and 1:1 coaching sessions
  • Professional development workshops (resume, interview, career readiness)
  • Internship search support across STEM and business roles
  • Industry exposure: panels, site visits, networking opportunities
  • Peer cohort engagement and leadership development
  • Financial literacy training and access to emergency funding
📄 Instructor Credentials

Program led by LA-Tech.org / Los Angeles Economic Empowerment Alliance staff and a network of first-gen professionals serving as coaches and mentors across STEAM and business industries.

Skills Gained

Soft and technical skills you'll gain by program completion.

Leadership development and identity exploration
Goal-setting and self-advocacy
College and career navigation
Financial literacy and debt management
Resume building and interview skills
Professional networking
Industry-specific career readiness across STEAM and business
Cross-cultural professional communication
Long-term career planning

Highs & Lows

hardest part

Stipend support helps, but financial stress still competes with engagement for many scholars.

most rewarding part

One of the most comprehensive workforce programs in LA, free, 3-year, cohort-based with stipend support throughout. Built specifically for first-generation college students, who are often the most underserved by traditional career pipelines. Structured progression (exploration → readiness → paid work) mirrors an actual career trajectory.

Possible Career Outcomes
Business Operation Specialist

Improve and streamline business processes for better efficiency and productivity.

💰 $85K Median Salary
📈 3% Job Growth
Data Scientist

Transform raw data into insights using programming and visualization tools.

💰 $135K Median Salary
📈 34% Job Growth
Designers

Designers create innovative products and concepts for practical or aesthetic use.

💰 $80K Median Salary
📈 2% Job Growth
Human Resources Specialist

Connect talent with opportunities and ensure compliance with HR policies.

💰 $80K Median Salary
📈 6% Job Growth
Marketing Specialist

Analyze market trends to boost sales and plan effective marketing campaigns.

💰 $95K Median Salary
📈 7% Job Growth
Mechanical Engineer

Design and maintain machines to improve efficiency and solve technical challenges.

💰 $125K Median Salary
📈 9% Job Growth
Project Management Specialist

Coordinate projects by managing schedules, budgets, and team responsibilities.

💰 $110K Median Salary
📈 6% Job Growth
Software Developer

Create and improve software to meet user needs and enhance system capabilities.

💰 $170K Median Salary
📈 16% Job Growth
Fellows graduate with at least one internship, alignment to a STEM or business pathway, and a transition into full-time roles or advanced opportunities. 5–10 years out, alumni progress into mid-level and senior roles across STEAM and business industries.

Employment Support

Career coaching and 1:1 mentorship

Resume, interview, and career readiness workshops

Internship search support across STEM and business roles

Industry panels, site visits, and networking opportunities

$1,500 annual stipend and emergency financial support

Professional development funds

Peer cohort and alumni network

partner Employers
LA Economic Empowerment AllianceLeadersUpKayne Foundation

Hear From the Program

P
Program Graduate
"Before LA Tech, I had never even done a mock interview. The feedback I got gave me so much confidence—and that practice helped me land my very first internship. If you’re thinking about applying, don’t hesitate. It really opened doors for me."

How It Works

1

Apply through LA-Tech.org / the Evolve Fellows Program

2

Application materials reviewed by program staff

3

Selected candidates participate in interviews

4

Final cohort of 50 Fellows selected per year

5

Fellows onboarded into the three-year program beginning sophomore year

Ongoing engagement through coaching, programming, and stipend distribution through graduation