Unique Opportunities to Succeed and Grow

When it comes to nurturing confidence and building professional connections, there is no substitute for real-world experience. That is why, in addition to extensive preparation in the classroom, MADE students have many opportunities to build crucial life and career skills outside of the classroom as well. Students may participate in competitions and symposiums or work in entry level jobs to explore different interests and figure out where they want to take their career, and get professional assistance with building their resume or college application to help them work towards their dreams.

Work Experience and Internships

LStudents take part in extensive, hands-on career readiness workshops, and then have the opportunity to work in a paid position for 6 weeks during the summer. They work with a variety of employer partners to develop crucial job skills necessary to be a professional employee, and begin building their resume at the same time. Operating in a workplace provides them the opportunity to develop their own voices, build self confidence, and learn to communicate more effectively. Practicing life skills, such as resume writing and job interviews, and guided reflection foster their ability to demonstrate their value to future employers.  Learn More

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College Admissions Academy

The goal of this program is to increase the number of Downey Unified students who apply to four-year colleges confidently with strong Personal Statements, and by doing so, increase the number of students who are admitted. Students are assigned a coach and work together in groups to improve their college applications, especially the written essay section which can make or break a college application. When students can learn to tell their story in an authentic and evocative way, universities feel more connected to them and are better able to envision them as part of a successful student community.

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Downey Unified Esports League

The world of team-based video game competitions, or “esports,” is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The real opportunity for students is behind the games, not playing them, and esports is a great vehicle to get students interested in game design, programming, and coding, as well as giving them opportunities to access industry professionals and experience a world class broadcasting event.

Students who identify themselves as gamers are 3x more likely to major in a STEAM discipline in college, and by participating in Esports Tournaments, students learn how they can turn their excitement for playing video games into a career in gaming related industries.

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Femineers

The Femineer Program was created and funded in 2013 by Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Engineering to inspire females to pursue STEM fields in their education and career. The program provides students with project-based learning, mentorship from female STEM professionals, and opportunities to visit Cal Poly Pomona, building a community for current and future female STEM leaders. By participating in highly creative, hands-on activities with real-world applications, Femineers acquire the technical knowledge and practical skills necessary to become confident and strong in their future careers.

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Skills USA

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industries collaborating to ensure America continues to have a skilled workforce. It is a national nonprofit organization serving middle school, high school, and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations.

By utilizing specialized instruction, SkillsUSA prepares America’s high-performance workers in public career and technical programs, emphasizing quality educational experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development. Students build and reinforce self-confidence, strong work ethic, and effective communication skills, and are empowered to become world-class workers, leaders, and responsible American citizens.

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