In the East Los Angeles area, the population is predominantly Latino and is characterized by high unemployment, high poverty, low educational attainment and lack of vocational skills development. Latino students face additional barriers such as limited exposure to career options and role models, low expectations and “tracking” by educators, limited financial resources for education, and significant culture gaps between familiar and professional worlds. To address these issues, TELACU, Neutrogena, and other healthcare businesses joined forces to encourage students to complete high school and enter science, health, technology, or other professional careers.
The LA BTE program provided progressive workplace exposure to 20 low-income, first-generation, high school students from the East Los Angeles area high schools (Garfield, Roosevelt, and Montebello High Schools). Through tours, job shadowing experiences, and internships at health care facilities, BTE students obtained a better understanding of potential health care, science and technology careers. After-school and weekend workshops, conducted by Neutrogena employees, community partners and other professionals, stimulated student interest in and knowledge of health care, science and technology careers.
Students had the opportunity to participate in college and work/life preparatory seminars to enhance their personal and academic growth. In addition, BTE students participated in community-based projects, encouraging community service. Through these projects, BTE students conducted health surveys, developed a community health resource booklet, organized community health fairs, and learned about health policy and advocacy.
