Before starting the WIOA Learn & Earn program at The Child Center of NY, I had recently immigrated to the U.S. and found myself navigating an unfamiliar education system. As a first-generation student, I didn't have enough guidance or the mentorship I needed to pursue my career goals. I was introduced to WIOA through my guidance counselor, and I saw it as an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop professional skills, as well as earn college credits, which is what

A little about me: I am a first-generation South Asian student and the eldest daughter in my family. This fall, I will be attending NYU to major in childhood education and special education. My journey toward this goal was not always straightforward. Before I became a participant in The Child Center’s WIOA Learn & Earn Program, I often felt like I was carefully planning my future but lacked the resources and opportunities needed to get there. As the eldest daughter in a South