Good Neighbor Stories

Pathways for the Future

Fri, 20 May 2022 11:01:30 -0500

Preparing for the Future of Work

Written by Alina Dizik: original story appeared in the Spring/Summer 2022 edition of Good Neighbor Magazine

After Gil Emmanuel Ruiz became a father, the former U.S. Marine knew it was time to get other parts of his life running smoothly. For Ruiz, that meant focusing on educational opportunities to help turn around his career.

Luckily, he was in the right place.

The veteran was one of the first to earn a scholarship to the State Farm Pathways for the Future (PFF) program, a collaboration between State Farm and Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, Arizona. Since launching in February 2020, PFF scholars like Ruiz can take advantage of the various offerings aimed at professional development. The program, funded through an endowment from State Farm, caters to the educational needs of a variety of learners — from high schoolers looking to continue their studies to adult learners focused on retooling existing skills.

“It’s not just a scholarship program — we’ve created a sense of community among these students,” says Kalani Rice, program manager for the PFF program at ASU.

Students take part in the programming in several ways: through degree, certificate or one-off courses to tailor their own programs. The variety of offerings and custom career counseling allows students to mix-and-match educational opportunities to meet their career needs. Learners are given help selecting their courses to create a “pathway to college,” Rice adds. Another program goal is to increase degree completion by preparing students to enroll in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the W. P. Carey School of Business or the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

And the program goes far beyond academics.

Students can tap into tailored career resources necessary to continuously develop and adapt to the workforce, including a dedicated career transition support program manager, a program coordinator and two career counselors. Many participants also take advantage of digital portfolio and resume building services. Often the additional support makes it easier to understand how to transition into a growing field while using their previous knowledge. “There’s a strong emphasis on the mentorship components of the program,” says Rice.

For Neil Bhuyan, a PFF participant, the scholarship program has allowed him to make connections while getting real-world work experience. This year, the college junior was able to intern as part of the State Farm purchasing department to build hands-on skills. As a double major in supply chain management and business data analytics, Bhuyan says that putting his studies into practice throughout the internship will make it easier to make the transition into a full-time job. “They really want to develop you for your future,” he says. “I’ve learned a lot.”

Building Skills for Tomorrow

For State Farm, this is a chance to give back. The PFF curriculum helps students retool while incorporating educational opportunities around data and advanced analytics, says Ed Woods, Director of Corporate Responsibility at State Farm. The goal is to enable career readiness across a wide swath of students by giving them an opportunity for a fresh start or to continue their education.

For now, the PFF program is focused on upskilling participants’ existing qualifications in order to find more promising opportunities. The need is acute in areas where technology and automation have changed the nature of work. For companies like State Farm, this provides important opportunities to fill the gaps. “We’re seeing a need to continuously gain new skill sets as technology evolves,” says Woods.

PFF is now one of the signature State Farm programs in the education space, focusing on broadening opportunity through access to education as well as specific courses for students to prepare to enter the workforce. “We need to be helping people who are displaced from an economic standpoint, and one way to help people is to be gainfully employed,” says Woods.

Removing Barriers

Thanks to the program, many State Farm employees are also participating in mentor and volunteer opportunities as well as making appearances on campus (some via Zoom, for now). With a State Farm hub within walking distance, collaboration between students and mentors is easy. Recently, members of the State Farm Hispanic Employee Resource Organization mentored students in the PFF program, and additional employees participated in volunteer days with program participants. Company employees also regularly speak to classes about the ins and outs of professional networking. “It feels incredible to help remove barriers for students who are excited to return to school and get into their career,” says Stacie Wylie, a corporate responsibility analyst at State Farm who has participated in the volunteer events.

Erin O’Conner, a Pathways scholar in the Masters in Sustainability Leadership Program, works from home while parenting a toddler and taking ASU classes online. While the program helped to ease some financial burden for her, the career opportunities and resources have helped her put her education into practice in ways that make sense for her needs and passions. “They not only give you the financial assistance to earn the degree and gain the knowledge that you need, but they also help you align with professionals in the area or just provide information on what you can do with those tools,” she says.

Enabling Online Growth

Funding provided by State Farm also assisted Arizona State with enhancing online tools for current and prospective students. Already, 29,000 learners have logged on to me3, an online interactive major and career quiz. It allows students to explore their interests and match them to ASU majors. Since launching enhancements to the tool this year, students from more than 75 countries have logged on to better assess their own career aspirations.

Another virtual offering available is MyPath2ASU™, a transfer guide for learners to understand how their transfer credits will be applicable to more than 400 ASU majors. Already, more than 30,000 students are actively on pathways to ASU from community colleges locally and nationally, Rice says.

As the program grows, the goal is to continue to offer both in-person and online curriculum to ensure the program can have an impact on the lives of students who need it most. “We’re looking to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for life and work in the 21st century,” adds Woods. “It speaks to our concept of being a lifelong learner.”

What does a pathway to the future look like?

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 11:58:00 -0500

Erin O’Connor is a spouse and mother studying sustainability leadership in a post graduate program. Neil Bhuyan is an undergrad studying business data analytics and supply chain management.

Both are benefitting from the personalized and comprehensive approach of the Pathways for the Future (PFF) program at Arizona State University (ASU) . The life-long learning program creates connections between students, faculty, mentors and employers.

Erin is a non-traditional student. Neil is a typical college junior. They voiced appreciation for the opportunities offered through the program as PFF Scholars. The State Farm-funded program is not just a $6,000 scholarship. Pathways also helps them build the knowledge, mindset and skills necessary for life and work in the 21^st century.

“They care about you,” Neil said. “Not just in school, but for your future.”

Placing an emphasis on education

The PFF education and career development program launched in February 2020. The $30 million investment from State Farm provides an endowment for scholarships and program operations. It also funds curriculum development, technology tools, and the new career and transition success center.

In addition to the 53 PFF Scholars seeking degrees and certificates, there are 40 other ASU students who received PFF awards. The awards of up to $1,700 cover fees associated with credit eligibility and credit conversion. The money helps jumpstart degree completion. The program seeks students at all stages of life, not just those entering the higher education system upon high school graduation.

PFF is specific to students seeking degrees or certificates in business, engineering and technology, and liberal arts and sciences. In addition to financial help, participants receive coaching and advisement through the Pathways Career Transitions and Success Center.

“Pathways for the Future is just one way State Farm is helping provide learners with the educational tools and resources to achieve and realize their dreams,” said Rasheed Merritt, Assistant Vice-President at State Farm. “State Farm believes education is critical for healthy, vibrant communities. Access to an education helps everyone reach their greatest potential.”

State Farm Education Assist® Partnering with Arizona State University

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 17:04:00 -0600

State Farm® and Arizona State University are partnering to offer funding and opportunities for students through the State Farm Education Assist® program.

Through a $30 million charitable donation, State Farm will support ASU’s Pathways for the Future program, providing new online learning tracks, certificate programs and scholarships. With this partnership, we are committing to helping the current and future workforce build skills for the future.

“At State Farm, we believe in lending a hand to build safer, stronger and better-educated communities. With the rapid pace of technological change underway, this means supporting our current and future workforce in adapting and responding to these shifts,” said State Farm Chairman and CEO Michael Tipsord. “As a good neighbor, we’re committed to helping people realize their dreams through education programs and through Pathways for the Future, we look forward to growing this commitment together with ASU.”

Pathways for the Future (PFF) is aimed toward high school, community college and university students, as well as lifelong learners already in the workforce who are interested in new and evolving jobs. It has four components:

Online courses, academic tracks (including STEM) and certificate programs – all courses are credentialed for transcript credit and employees will be able to take advantage by using their tuition reimbursement benefit.
Financial Support and Scholarships – to assist students on a path to a certificate, undergraduate or graduate degree.
Tools for Success – redesigned with improved degree mapping for transfer students, and an updated career assessment tool to help students discover their career interests.
Pathways Career Transitions and Success Center – increased focus on engaging students on the web, through social media, or via mobile applications, resources and student support ensure that PFF State Farm Scholars are career ready.

The PFF programs will be available for tuition reimbursement to all eligible State Farm employees with at least one year of service. The courses are also accessible virtually, providing a learning platform for employees outside of Arizona to continue personal development.

This is the second location to be part of the Education Assist program. State Farm also partners with Georgia State University Decatur Perimeter campus, which was announced in April 2017.

State Farm Education Assist® Partnership Announced with ASU

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 16:35:46 -0600

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State Farm^® and Arizona State University are partnering to offer funding and opportunities for students through the State Farm Education Assist® program.

Online courses, academic tracks (including STEM) and certificate programs – all courses are credentialed for transcript credit and employees will be able to take advantage by using their tuition reimbursement benefit.
Financial Support and Scholarships – to assist students on a path to a certificate, undergraduate or graduate degree.
Tools for Success – redesigned with improved degree mapping for transfer students, and an updated career assessment tool to help students discover their career interests.
Pathways Career Transitions and Success Center – increased focus on engaging students on the web, through social media, or via mobile applications, resources and student support ensure that PFF State Farm Scholars are career ready.

This is the second location to be part of the Education Assist program. State Farm also partners with Georgia State University Decatur Perimeter campus, which was announced in April 2017.

Related Story: Program Helps Students Give Back

State Farm® & Arizona State University Announce Public-Private Partnership

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 19:21:00 -0600

State Farm and Arizona State University today announced the introduction of a new education and career development program called Pathways for the Future. The program will provide a personalized approach to higher education with a focus on innovative & technological skills, fueled by a $30 million contribution from State Farm.

As emerging technologies rapidly transform the workplace, experts predict significant displacement and demand for new skills to fill future jobs. The ability to adapt, learn, and transition to new and emerging employment opportunities will be essential for workers worldwide. Pathways for the Future is designed to address these changes, focused specifically on high school students, community college and university students, and career professionals who wish to compete for new and evolving jobs in the changing marketplace.

“Technological change holds enormous promise and the potential for job creation. It also challenges employees, employers and students and presents a change we all must adapt to,” said State Farm Chairman and CEO Michael Tipsord. “Today represents a new milestone in our relationship with ASU and builds on our corporate commitment to prepare not only for what’s coming, but for what is already happening. We look forward to growing this commitment with ASU and working together to build the workforce of the future through universal learning.”

With the online nature of the program, State Farm’s gift will enable ASU to assist many more learners regardless of their location and will provide students access to the transfer and transition tools which support curriculum pathway mapping and sequencing. This component will also help people discover career interests and provides a way for ASU to share pertinent information with mid-career adults and to students navigating higher education options.

There are four targeted groups for the Pathway Program, including:

High School Students
Maricopa County Community College Students
Arizona State University Students
Employees, already in the workforce, wanting to learn new skills, including State Farm employees

“State Farm has been a good neighbor to ASU for the past several years – our aligned values and our mutual commitment and investment of human and financial capital makes for an ideal partnership in Pathways for the Future,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “We believe strongly in the evolving model of universal learning, making higher education available to those from all socioeconomic backgrounds at any point in their lives. This is what the workforce of the future needs and what we hope to accomplish with State Farm. Together, our goal is to help people work through what will be a significant transformation in the economy.”

The program has three specific Academic Tracks, including STEM/Engineering, Business/Leadership and Humanities/Social Sciences. For more information on the tracks and complete program details, please visit: https://pff.asu.edu/. The Pathways for the Future portal can be accessed here.