The City University of New York (CUNY) has received a significant boost with a $700,000 grant from Robin Hood to further its pioneering initiative aimed at integrating career milestones into academic degree maps across multiple campuses.
These innovative degree-career maps empower undergraduates by helping them identify career pathways aligned with their chosen majors, understand necessary professional milestones, and discover critical opportunities for paid internships, apprenticeships, and full-time employment.
Already, 20 departments within CUNY have initiated the process of incorporating career milestones alongside course requirements on academic maps, marking a significant step forward in enhancing students’ career readiness.
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez stressed the importance of aligning college studies with career aspirations, particularly for first-generation college students.
“As our students navigate their way through college, many as the first in their families to do so, it is essential to connect their college studies to career goals,” Rodriguez remarked. “We are grateful to Robin Hood for recognizing that this connection requires resources for colleges and for funding this important work to make sure our graduates thrive after they leave campus.”
Richard R. Buery Jr., CEO of Robin Hood, hailed CUNY as a beacon of opportunity within New York City, noting its historic role in facilitating upward mobility for low-income and first-generation college students.
“CUNY is one of New York City’s shining stars and a true driver of opportunity,” Buery Jr. added. “The initiative will open doors to opportunity, helping 25,000 students secure internships, jobs, and more competitive salaries. Every time a CUNY graduate succeeds, New York City wins.”
With the funding from Robin Hood, CUNY plans to expand its career-integrated degree maps across 50 academic departments, serving an estimated 25,000 students by Fall 2024.
Research indicates that paid internships can significantly increase post-graduation earnings, a crucial aspect given that over 50% of CUNY students juggle work and other life obligations outside the classroom.
Despite the evident benefits of career-focused programs, only a quarter of CUNY students currently utilize career services. To address this gap, career-infused degree maps will integrate career information into advising and academic touchpoints where students regularly engage with faculty and staff.
In its strategic roadmap aimed at bolstering its impact on New York by 2030, CUNY has committed to increasing the number of graduates who can secure meaningful employment at competitive wages.
