Well done Jonathan Gardner and GardHouse!
?? For many first-gen and low-to-moderate income students, summer internships aren't just hard to get—they're hard to afford. While these roles are meant to build career skills, the reality is that most first-gen students can't press pause on their paying jobs to take an unpaid or low-paid internship. The Data Speaks Volumes: ?? Nearly 70% of LMI students work part-time jobs during college, often in retail, food service, or manual labor—roles that rarely align with their career aspirations. ?? 43% of first-generation students work 20+ hours per week to cover tuition and living expenses. ?? Paid summer internships, when available, are highly competitive and disproportionately favor students with existing networks and resources. This means that while their peers are building industry connections and gaining field-specific skills over the summer, first-gen students are stuck in jobs that don't propel them toward their career goals. At GardHouse, we're changing this narrative by integrating paid, year-round internships into students' academic schedules—allowing them to gain meaningful work experience while maintaining financial stability. If we're serious about creating equitable career pathways, we must rethink workforce development strategies that truly meet students where they are. #WorkforceEquity #InternshipsMatter #FirstGenCollege #CareerReadiness #GardHouse