Established in 2022, SOCAL Workforce continues to expand, bringing more career exploration opportunities to students and strengthening connections between employers and the future workforce. With new grants, an expanded video library, and dedicated outreach efforts, career awareness is becoming more accessible than ever.
What is SOCAL Workforce?
SOCAL (Student Opportunities for Career Awareness and Learning) is a collaboration between San Diego North Economic Development Council (SDNEDC), Tri-City Medical Center, and the Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, Escondido, San Marcos, and Encinitas Chambers of Commerce. This career exploration tool provides young adults throughout Southern California with insights into high-demand occupations through a growing library of now 140+ three-minute video interviews. These employer-driven videos show job-seekers what it’s like to do the job, how the interviewee got into this work, and how students can educate and prepare themselves for this field.
Local employers play a crucial role in SOCAL Workforce by sharing their expertise and showcasing real career pathways. By participating, companies can enhance their visibility among job seekers, support local workforce development, and connect with motivated students exploring career options, all in a cost-effective way. The process is simple, and all content is subject to employer approval. Learn more about how you can get involved by emailing ccanby@sdnedc.org.
Expanding with New Grants
In 2024, SOCAL Workforce received a grant from the San Diego/ Imperial County Center of Excellence to create 45 additional career videos, broadening the program beyond North County to a county-wide effort. These new videos showcase career paths accessible through San Diego County community colleges, helping students connect local education to employment.
Additionally, a grant from Interfaith Services, funded by the Conrad Prebys Foundation, is supporting 20 new healthcare-focused videos. This initiative targets young adults aged 18-26 and highlights growing career fields in healthcare. Interfaith Services will also facilitate internship placements in behavioral health, further expanding hands-on opportunities for career exploration.
Dedicated Outreach for North County High Schools
To ensure more students and educators are aware of SOCAL Workforce, SDNEDC is excited to welcome Lynn Bigsby as an independent contractor to develop and implement an outreach strategy for North County high schools. With over 20 years of experience in career education, workforce development, and industry engagement, Bigsby brings expertise in career pathway development, work-based learning, and strategic program design. Her deep knowledge of building industry and community partnerships, along with her passion for connecting students to career opportunities, will be invaluable in expanding access to career readiness resources for high school students across the region.
Bigsby will lead efforts to introduce SOCAL Workforce to North County high schools by meeting with school leaders, conducting class presentations, and identifying key career and college fairs for SOCAL’s participation in 2025 and beyond. Additionally, she will support the SOCAL steering committee, develop a marketing strategy to boost student engagement and explore long-term funding opportunities to sustain and grow the program.
To further support educators, SDNEDC will also develop a curriculum guide that highlights how SOCAL Workforce aligns with state education requirements, making it easier for teachers to integrate the tool into their classrooms.
See You at Career and College Fairs
Look for SOCAL Workforce at career and college fairs in 2025, where we’ll be sharing this valuable tool with even more students. Follow SOCAL Workforce on LinkedIn for more information about these fairs.
If you or someone you know is exploring career options, stop by our booths to learn more, ask questions, and see how SOCAL can help. We’re excited to connect and continue building pathways to high-growth, livable-wage careers in San Diego County.
Stay Connected: Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Want to learn more about business events in North County? Sign up for our weekly newsletter for the latest updates.
About the Author
Caitlyn Canby loves to discover and share people’s stories. She has her bachelor’s degree in Communications with over 10 years of journalism experience. An Escondido native, she lived on Catalina Island off the coast of Long Beach, CA before moving back home to North County. She now lives a little more rurally with her husband, two children, and two dogs in the “Friendly Village” of Fallbrook. Caitlyn enjoys collaborating on projects as Chief Operating Officer at SDNEDC, traveling internationally, gaming, and exploring new restaurants, venues, experiences, and cultures.