Supporting the Next Generation of FGLI Leaders

The CareerSpring FORWARD Program is a short-term experiential internship opportunity for first-generation and/or low-income (FGLI) students.

Bridging the gap from learning in the academic world to preparing for work in an internship can be challenging, especially for FGLI students. This early career identification program helps participants discover their strengths, interests, explore potential career options that align with their goals, and inspire confidence in their abilities as they prepare for internships and full-time employment.

This unique program allows companies to partner with us and our network to engage with the next generation of talent earlier in their college and career journey. Your company can be a part of the solution by hosting a cohort of interns. This three-week program’s framework will be developed in partnership with CareerSpring, and will be easy to execute, scalable, replicable, and an overall valuable experience for all involved.

CareerSpring FORWARD creates a new pathway for undergraduate students to build career ready skills and prepare for the workforce.

Three diverse young professionals standing in front of a glass door with the sign 'The CapStreet Group' in an office building.

The Experience

CareerSpring FORWARD welcomes a cohort of interns in the summer before their sophomore or junior year of college to participate in a three-week paid internship. They will receive an introduction to the industry, shadowing opportunities, work on an industry-focused project, attend presentations and training by industry experts, and complete a capstone presentation at the end of the program.

For FGLI students interested in the CareerSpring FORWARD Program, please log in to your CareerSpring account to explore this internship opportunity and more. If you are not yet registered as an Advisee, please request to join here.

CareerSpring FORWARD’s Impact

  • 100%

    of Employer Partners that hosted FORWARD Interns in 2024 would recommend the Program to other companies.

  • 98%

    of FORWARD Interns agree that they now feel more confident applying for future internships after completing this program.

  • 94%

    of FORWARD Interns agreed that this was overall an “outstanding” internship experience.

  • 97%

    of FORWARD Interns agreed that they felt they acquired relevant industry skills through this program.

  • Top Three Value-Adds for Employer Partners:

    • Early talent exposure to their company or industry.

    • Contributed to their company’s community impact and social responsibility goals.

    • Offered a new opportunity for employee engagement.

  • DWS logo with two slanted lines and the letters DWS

    “I was really impressed with both the calibre of talent that they provided us with and their communication building up to the FORWARD program...Programs like this are so important in making careers in this space accessible to the majority. We had three students from the finance program, all of whom would be an asset to any firm looking to invest in junior talent. It was great to see them exploring areas of the business that they wouldn’t otherwise have considered or even heard of during their time with us. I would highly recommend the FORWARD program to any reputable firm looking to add value to their Early Careers offering.”

    Sophie Jenner, DWS

  • HAYS logo with blue and teal arrow symbol.

    “It was an incredible experience for all involved from meeting the interns virtually to get to know them before their internships started to watching them present to board level executives on what they had learned about being part of the Hays family. Providing real-world experiences for young adults, especially in technology recruitment sector and within our work at Hays, is so important in today’s world for young professionals. The interns were given full access to work in our delivery centers, working alongside our recruiters and given a comprehensive understanding of the workforce. They were up for the challenge and wanted to learn as much as possible.”

    David Blow, HAYS

  • Logo for Surgical Notes featuring a caduceus with wings and a stethoscope in the shape of a bird, with the words 'Surgical Notes' in bold black text.

    “Our company is deeply committed to supporting young professionals, and this internship program was a testament to that commitment. The interns were not only given the opportunity to work on key initiatives but also received mentorship and guidance from our experienced staff. This hands-on approach allowed them to gain real-world insights and develop skills that will be crucial in their future careers. The success of the program was evident, as we decided to extend one of the internships through the rest of the summer. This extension allowed the intern to continue contributing to our key projects, further demonstrating the value and impact of the FORWARD program.”

    Tara Palmerton, Surgical Notes

  • Uplift Education logo with a yellow and blue stylized sun and a hand, alongside the text 'uplift education'.

    “Our partnership with Career Spring on the early internship FORWARD program was a success. We were able to identify and recruit a talented pool of college students who brought fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to our team. The program provided invaluable hands-on experience for these students, while also contributing to our organization's goals. Several of our Central Management Office departments benefited from the capstone presentation and were able to adapt and improve our strategy for engaging Gen Z talent. This collaborative effort has solidified our commitment to investing in the next generation of talent.”

    Misti Whitley, Uplift Education

  • Logo of BDO with blue letters and red underline and vertical line.

    “We were thrilled to be a part of such a fantastic program, providing internships to a bright group of students. They brought a fresh perspective, strong work ethic, and a genuine curiosity for learning. Engaging with early talent through programs like FORWARD is an investment in the future of our organization and industry.”

    Steven Shill, BDO

  • “The FORWARD Internship Program matched us with stellar interns - smart, sophisticated, and eager. The interns made a meaningful contribution to our team by supporting a CRM optimization project focused on improving data quality, lead management, and sales process efficiency. Their work supported stronger alignment between our marketing and sales efforts and helped build a more scalable foundation for future growth. After working together closely for three weeks, I'd be happy to facilitate connections for the interns as they enter the workplace as I saw their hard work firsthand.”

    Korey Turner, Integration Health

Three young adults standing in front of an office door that says "The CapStreet Group."
Three young professionals standing in front of a large screen displaying the BDO logo.
Six young adults standing in front of a William Blair sign and a landscaped area with bushes and purple flowers.
Group of nine people, including students and adults, standing and sitting in a conference room with a Payroc logo on the wall behind them.
Group of eight diverse professionals standing inside a modern office building, smiling for a photo.
Three people standing in front of a wall with multiple digital screens displaying Barton Malow branding and construction images.
Group of seven diverse professionals standing in front of a wall displaying the EDF logo, smiling at the camera.
Four people standing in front of a wall with the Teleo Capital logo and a surfboard, in a modern office setting.
Two people standing in front of a wall with Jesse Collins Entertainment logo, a woman on the left and a man on the right.
Group of 18 diverse people posing in a conference room, smiling for a photo.
Four people standing in a laboratory or manufacturing facility with machinery and equipment in the background.
Four diverse people standing together in a conference room, smiling, with a large screen displaying 'Thank You!' and 'EMERGE' on the wall behind them.
Three women standing together inside an office space, smiling, with posters of dance and theater productions on the wall behind them. They are wearing lanyards and ID badges.
Three people standing in front of a brick wall with a Mercy Home sign, smiling for the camera.
Three people standing in front of a building with a sign that reads 'MGA' and the number 49, glass doors, brick exterior, and greenery reflected in the glass.
Three people standing inside a modern office, holding Starbucks beverages, and smiling at the camera.
Two women standing in front of a wall with the Grace Institute logo and name. Both women are smiling, wearing name tags, and dressed professionally.
Five people standing in front of a large screen displaying a presentation about college majors and career paths, in a modern conference room with a whiteboard and chairs.

Our CareerSpring FORWARD Partners

College AIM

Detroit Regional Dollars

for Scholars

EMERGE

Fulfillment Fund

Generation Remix

Grace Institute of New York

Hadley School For the Blind

Houston Ballet

Houston Health Foundation

Houston Independent

School District

Junior Achievement

Mercy Home For Boys & Girls

Metropolitan Golf Association

Thank you to our Non-Profit Partners that hosted FORWARD Interns:

Michigan Hispanic Collaborative

National Immigrant

Justice Center

NextGen Talent

ScholarShot

SquashBusters

Status Home

Uplift Education

USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative

WABE (Atlanta's NPR Broadcast)

YAI

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago