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"I am more than who I am on paper."

Find resources to advance your career and tear the paper ceiling, Let's get to work.

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STARs are Rising

You are not alone! There's a growing movement to recognize the skills and potential of the 75+ million STARs like you - workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes, rather than a bachelor's degree. In fact, 4 million STARs have already torn the paper ceiling⁴. proving that STARs have the skills for jobs that pay over $70,000/year. Here you'll find profiles of some of those STARs to inspire you, resources to help you find higher-wage jobs or build new skills, and other ways you can help tear the paper ceiling while advancing your career.

Opportunity At Work STARs

When STARs make themselves heard, 
employers listen

19%

of STARs nationwide publicly describe themselves as a "STAR".¹

72%

of employers surveyed think that the system is biased, unfair, or needs to change.²

95%

of employers surveyed who have seen or heard the PSAs are interested in hiring STARs.³

See The Impact

Paperless Pathways Podcast

Want more stories of STARs, employers, and the paper ceiling? Subscribe to our podcast hosted by LaShana Lewis — a business owner, STAR, and the face of the Tear the Paper Ceiling campaign.

STARs Resource Library

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Find Your Dream Job at Career.io

Find Your Dream Job at Career.io

Latest job openings across thousands of employers on Career.io — use code TTPC50 for 50% off all subscriptions.

Career.io

Job Boards

Find Your Dream Job at Career.io

Find Your Dream Job at Career.io

NPower Course Catalog

NPower Course Catalog

Tuition-free program offering skills training and coaching to jumpstart your career.

NPower

Trainings & Certifications

NPower Course Catalog

NPower Course Catalog

Year Up Course Catalog

Year Up Course Catalog

Skills-based job training that matches the expertise corporate partners are seeking.

Year Up

Trainings & Certifications

Year Up Course Catalog

Year Up Course Catalog

STARs Coach by CareerVillage

STARs Coach by CareerVillage

Free AI coach to supercharge your job search and navigate the job market with confidence.

CareerVillage

Tools

STARs Coach by CareerVillage

STARs Coach by CareerVillage

Northern Virginia Community College Programs

Northern Virginia Community College Programs

Explore career studies certificates and workforce training in IT, healthcare, business, and skilled trades.

Northern Virginia Community College

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Northern Virginia Community College Programs

Northern Virginia Community College Programs

Code the Dream Course Catalog

Code the Dream Course Catalog

Learn JavaScript or data engineering with Python through free, community-based courses.

Code the Dream

Career Exploration

Code the Dream Course Catalog

Code the Dream Course Catalog

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STARs Resource Library

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Join your peers in
signing the pledge

Tear
the Paper Ceiling

I am a STAR. My skills are real. My experience is valuable. I pledge to see myself clearly and define myself not by what's missing from my resume, but by everything I have to offer.

I pledge to own my story and to speak openly about the skills I've built through work, training, and life experience.

I pledge to stand with the community of 75+ million workers in America like me, and to support them by sharing my own lessons from encountering and overcoming barriers.

I pledge to tear the paper ceiling, to see the world beyond it, and to let all STARs shine.

Sign the pledge to tear the paper ceiling

Let’s send a clear message that it’s time to tear the
paper ceiling.

Thanks for signing the pledge.

You’ve taken the first step in tearing the paper ceiling. Stay tuned for important updates, information and stories related to the campaign.

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