Career Launch
A stronger start for what comes next.
Coming Fall 2027
Opportunity doesn’t begin with an internship. Career Launch gives first-generation college students an earlier opportunity to build the skills, relationships, and professional confidence to pursue what comes next.
College is filled with moments that can shape a student’s future, from the people they meet to the experiences they choose to pursue. Career Launch helps students recognize those moments earlier and be ready to make the most of them.
We Asked Students What They Needed
In 2026, GardHouse launched its Student Career and College Experience Survey to understand how students were navigating internships and early career opportunities. Students were already putting in the work, but their effort didn't always translate into opportunity.
10-30+
Internship applications submitted by many students
10-20
Hours many students work each week while enrolled in college
Students Told Us What Would Make a Difference
Students wanted support that moved them closer to real opportunities. They prioritized internship opportunities, career connections, and financial support, while identifying time, finances, and limited professional connections as barriers.
48%
Entered GardHouse without a previous internship
41%
Entered with fewer than three professional contacts in their desired field
88%
OF STUDENTS SURVEYED EXPRESSED STRONG INTEREST IN PROGRAMMING THAT BUILDS CONNECTIONS WITH PEERS AND PROFESSIONALS.
What We’re Building
Career Launch is designed to serve 45 first-year college students from September through April, with approximately 32 hours of programming across the academic year.
1. DEVELOP
Students will strengthen communication, collaboration, self-awareness, and professional confidence through hands-on experiences.
3. COMPETE
Students will put those skills into practice through employer-hosted Career Days, industry conversations, opportunity labs, and preparation for internships and other professional opportunities.
2. CONNECT
Students will build meaningful professional relationships while gaining exposure to professionals, industries, and workplaces.
4. SUPPORT
Students will be eligible to earn up to $2,000 in milestone-based stipends, helping reduce the financial barriers that can make it difficult to prioritize career development alongside school, work and other responsibilities.
GIVE 45 STUDENTS A STRONGER START
$180,000 will give 45 first-year college students something too many students have to find on their own: an early start.
Through Career Launch, students will build professional skills, develop meaningful relationships, gain employer exposure, and receive financial support as they prepare for opportunities throughout college and beyond.
By investing now, you help GardHouse reach students before the internship search becomes urgent, giving them time to build the foundation they need to recognize, pursue, and compete for opportunities throughout college.
Inaugural Funder
GardHouse is proud to recognize Truist as the inaugural funder of Career Launch. Their $10,000 investment represents the first philanthropic commitment toward bringing the program to life. Their early support is helping GardHouse lay the foundation for first-generation college students to get a stronger start, with earlier access to the skills, relationships, and professional experiences that can shape what comes next.
We are grateful to Truist for believing in the vision and investing from the start.
Invest in a Stronger Start
Your investment supports student stipends, dedicated program leadership, career development experiences, employer engagement, materials and assessments, and tracking student progress. Half of the Career Launch budget will go directly to students through stipends.
$2,000 | Invest in One Student
Provides one student’s full Career Launch stipend for the academic year.
$4,000 | Launch One Student
Fully funds one student’s Career Launch experience for the year.
$20,000 | Support Five Students
Provides the full Career Launch experience for five students.
$40,000 | Support 10 Students
Provides the full Career Launch experience for 10 students.
$180,000 | Launch the Full Cohort
Fully fund Career Launch for 45 first-year college students.
Help Us Find the Next 45.
Help 45 first-generation college students start their careers with more than ambition. Help them start with skills, relationships, confidence, and opportunity.
Career Launch is currently in development, with a proposed Fall 2027 launch. Student applications are not yet open.
