STEM Career Spark:
Explore Your Future
Igniting curiosity and building futures in STEM fields
What if your dream job in STEM – science, technology, engineering, or math – is something you haven’t even imagined yet?
Whether you love creating, fixing, helping, or leading – Making Waves Education Foundation’s STEM Career Spark program helps you start exploring careers that match your interests, strengths, and values. Through guided reflections, skill practice, and real conversations with STEM professionals, this three-day experience at the Community Youth Center in Concord, California will ignite your curiosity and start shaping your vision for your future in science, technology, engineering, math, and other career paths.
It’s fun. It’s free. And it’s made for 9th and 10th graders in the Bay Area’s Contra Costa County who are ready to take the next step toward their career.
Program at-a-glance
Who: 9th and 10th graders in high school in the Bay Area's Contra Costa County
When: Thursday, November 6: Program Kickoff from 4-6 p.m.; Friday, November 7 from 4-6 p.m.; Saturday, November 8 from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Community Youth Center at 2241 Galaxy Ct, Concord, California, 94520
What: Career exposure, mentorship, networking skills, and new confidence in your future path in STEM or other career fields
Cost: A free program for students ready to commit their time and energy
No prior work experience needed
Making Waves’ Career Spark program is designed to help you start figuring out your possible career in science, technology, engineering, math, and other fields.
This is your first step — and it’s all about starting, not about having it all figured out. You don’t need previous jobs or career experience to apply.
Whether you are interested in STEM, healthcare, business, or have no clue at all, this program is about exploring options, asking questions, gaining connections and mentorship, and discovering what matters to you.
Applications are closed
Footer Form
Apply by Friday, October 8, 2025
Spots are limited – apply early to increase your chances!
Why should I join this STEM career awareness program in Concord?
Explore what you're good at and what you can get paid for
Build your voice in a professional setting
Connect with professionals from different career paths
Walk away with clarity for your career in STEM
Apply by Friday, October 8, 2025
Spots are limited – apply early to increase your chances!
Am I eligible to join?
This Making Waves Career Spark program is designed for students who are:
In 9th or 10th grade in high school (parent/guardian consent form required to participate)
Attend high school or live in the Bay Area's Contra Costa County
100% committed to fully participating in all program sessions, November 6-8, 2025
Eager to explore new career paths, including in STEM, ask questions, and learn from professionals – while building essential skills like communication, curiosity, and confidence
No GPA requirement. No pressure to know your future – just bring your curiosity and commitment.
What can I expect during this STEM early career program?
Over three action-packed days, you will:
- Discover yourself – Find out what drives you and what you’re good at.
- Connect to careers – See how your interests link to real opportunities in STEM and other industries.
- Build skills – Practice talking with professionals in a culminating Career Fair and learn from people actually doing the work, in science, technology, engineering, math, and other industries.
And here’s the game-changer: you’ll receive a 10-year license to Futre.me — your personal Life Navigation Platform. Before the kickoff, you’ll take the Futre career assessment as pre-work. That’s your entry point to a decade of tools, insights, and guidance designed with youth for youth.
This is your chance to start shaping your future in STEM!
Thursday, November 6, 2025 @ 4-6 p.m.
Friday, November 7, 2025 @ 4-6 p.m.
Saturday, November 8, 2025 @ 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Applications are closed
Footer Form
Apply by Friday, October 8, 2025
Spots are limited – apply early to increase your chances!
FAQs
How do I apply?
Complete the online application by Friday, October 8.
- Answer a few questions about your background.
- Submit two short-answer responses about your motivation for participating in this program.
- In 150-200 words, what are you curious about when it comes to your future career? What do you most hope to get out of the Career Spark experience?
- In 150-200 words, tell us about a time you asked a great question or learned something by talking to someone older than you (a teacher, a coach, a family member, etc.). What did you ask, and what did you learn?
If selected, you’ll receive a confirmation email with next steps. Students will need a parent/guardian consent form to participate.
Is this program really free?
Yes! Career Spark is free for all participants. We will provide all materials and supplies; and depending on the length of the session, snacks or meals will be included too.
Do I need to know what career I want to pursue? Is this program only exploring careers in STEM?
Not at all. Career Spark is designed to help you start figuring that out. Whether you have a career in mind or no clue at all, this program is about exploring options in STEM and other career paths, asking questions, and discovering what matters to you.
Do I need a resume or work experience?
This is your first step — and it’s all about starting, not about having it all figured out. You don’t need previous jobs or career experience or a resume to apply.
What kind of careers will I learn about?
You’ll meet professionals from a variety of high-wage, high-demand industries – like STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), business, and healthcare. You’ll have the chance to ask about their paths, hear their stories, and discover jobs you might not have known existed.
Will I be expected to network and talk to professionals in STEM jobs?
Yes – but don’t stress! We’ll help you get ready with practice activities so you feel confident introducing yourself and asking questions. You don’t need to be super outgoing, just be yourself and stay curious. Everyone’s here to learn, and the adults you’ll meet are excited to talk with you.
What if I can’t attend all three days of the Career Spark program?
To get the full experience – and meet the participation requirements – you need to attend all three days of the program. If you know you have a conflict, we recommend looking out for future programs.
What cities and towns are included in the Bay Area's Contra Costa County?
What if I have additional questions?
Reach out to our Vice President of Career Launch, Daisy Han, at dhan@making-waves.org with any questions.
Apply by Friday, October 8, 2025
Spots are limited – apply early to increase your chances!
Partner resources
Here are materials if you are an educator or school leader and would like to share this opportunity with your students.
Thank you to our community partners and funders
Making Waves is offering Career Spark as a free opportunity for students thanks to the generous support of philanthropic funders and donors and community partners, including the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County, Payette River Foundation, Community Youth Center, and Earn and Learn.
More pilots and programs
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