Stephanie

For nearly five years, Stephanie Gomez, Director of Career Launch Chicago, has been at the forefront creating opportunities for youth across City Colleges of Chicago. Through her leadership and with the collaboration of the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA) from New America, a once conceptual idea has grown into a powerful and impactful model connecting City Colleges of Chicago youth to purpose-driven careers and higher education.  

Stephanie’s vision centers on building a strong talent pipeline that begins before college, connecting students with top employers and equipping them with the skills, experience, and confidence to succeed in competitive fields – all while continuing their education. 

“Our goal is to show students they don’t have to choose between college and work,” Stephanie says. “They can do both and gain the experience they need to thrive in life and career.” 

Vital to the program’s success is funding provided by the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA). From the program’s earliest phases to its current fourth cohort, PAYA has provided critical funding,  thought partnership, and technical guidance that allows Career Launch Chicago to grow strategically and sustainably. 

Through that funding, City Colleges is able to remove barriers that might otherwise discourage students from pursuing or completing their apprenticeships. PAYA’s support covers essentials like uniforms/scrubs and tools like virtual reality headsets used in maker spaces, so that students are able to fully engage in their learning experience. The funding also supports events such as student showcases,  professional development opportunities for staff to advance their work, and Announcement Day, where students are officially matched to an employer. 

“The funding has allowed us to shift and evolve to what now feels like the strongest and truest form of this program,” Stephanie shares. 

With the latest program redesign, apprenticeships now begin during a student’s first semester at City Colleges, creating a seamless transition from high school to college and career. Before entering their apprenticeship, students gain valuable career exposure through makerspaces, facility tours, and job shadowing experiences—hands-on opportunities that help them discover their interests and build confidence in their chosen pathway. The journey continues through Aim to Launch (A2L), a summer bridge program where students apply and interview for the Youth Apprenticeship that officially begins in the fall at City Colleges of Chicago. 

As Career Launch Chicago continues to thrive, Stephanie credits its success to the strong relationships built across City Colleges’ campuses, her dedicated team, including Hector Gonazlez, manager of career and technical education pathways, and Yenifer Mora, youth apprenticeship coordinator, and the dedicated staff who champion student success every day.   

Thanks to Stephanie’s leadership and collaboration with PAYA, Career Launch Chicago is not just preparing students for jobs, it is preparing the next generation of Chicago’s workforce, ensuring every student has the opportunity to excel.  

“Our young people in our city are resilient, have grit, and are brilliant. All they need is someone to open the door. When employers look at City Colleges, they’ll see students who are ready, students who understand what these opportunities mean for their futures and their families,” Stephanie said.