2018 College Track Social Mobility Report 2018 Social Mobility Report | Page 15

More than half of College Track alumni
chose a job in education, social services
and health care, or what we call the “public
interest sector.” Nationally these three sectors
account for 28% of jobs for all bachelor’s
degree holders. 10 In other words, College
Track graduates c ​ hoose these careers at twice
the rate of the national average​. We know
youth tend to choose careers they have been
exposed to, which may explain why College
Track youth gravitate to careers in education
or nonprofit, where many of their mentors
work, as opposed to finance, technology,
medicine or law. Part of this exposure comes
from having attended the College Track
program during their high school years and
then receiving on-campus college support
from individuals in counseling roles. For
graduates in the public interest sector, there
is a wage gap in the early years of their
career compared to their peers in finance
or technology, but over time, that gap
diminishes. They appear to experience faster
career growth, leading to higher salaries.
Roger’s story is indicative of this accelerated
career trajectory:
“I was always a humanities person, I love the
open ended side and social justice. I graduated
in May 2008 at the beginning of the recession:
there wasn’t much work for a new graduate with
little experience and a political science degree.
I joined Summit Public Schools at an entry level
position, grew with the school and developed a
great relationship with my manager. Six years later,
I was doing development, working on the charter
authorization and district facilities. I had developed
a lot of expertise. I am now the associate director of
admissions at Menlo School where I am responsible
for bringing in students from all backgrounds and
making sure they thrive.” ​
-Roger, St Mary’s College of
California 2008 graduate
College Track
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