Launching careers
for college students
Driving Forward launches the career exploration journey for college students through paid internships, skill-based training, industry-focused workshops, and mentorship. For all students — including first-generation and under-resourced students — our network unlocks social capital.
Talent is everywhere.
Opportunity isn't.
A college degree opens doors — but which doors depends almost entirely on the professional network you walk in with. Students from higher-income families arrive at college with years of connections, referrals, and career conversations already behind them. First-generation students are building that from zero.
Read our storyA 10-week paid internship built around your career
Our comprehensive 10-week winter program combines a paid internship placement with team-based business project work, professional skills development, and one-on-one mentoring. Over 250 students have graduated from the flagship program.
We connect every participant with a mentor who has real experience in your target field — not just career advice, but warm introductions, interview coaching, and access to networks that would otherwise take years to build.
"The program equips students with the tools, mindset, and confidence to thrive, no matter the field."Max Rivera · Driving Forward Alumni
Measuring the careers we've launched
Every year we track where our alumni land. These are real outcomes from real students — the ones who went through the program and came out the other side with a career that changed the trajectory of their families.
Our StoryCareer resources for every school you're already at
Our free toolkit gives students at 40+ partner universities a detailed, school-specific breakdown of career services, internship funding, student organizations, and alumni networks — all in one place. No more searching across 10 different university websites.
Explore the ToolkitWhat our alumni say
Throughout the program, my mentor was my biggest cheerleader — celebrating my wins and reminding me of my potential. I came in unsure of what I was capable of. I left with a job offer and a network I still rely on every day.
I could not have asked for a better program to support my future goals.
The program is a game-changer that opens doors you never knew existed.
