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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 70+ 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

STARs are All Around Us

Get inspired by stories of STARs and companies tearing the paper ceiling, then create a custom story card to share your own story on social media. Every story matters, especially yours.

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

Filter By

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

Browse Courses on Tallo

Browse Courses on Tallo

Discover thousands of courses from top institutions and platforms worldwide.

Tallo

Trainings & Certifications

Browse Courses on Tallo

Browse Courses on Tallo

Public Allies Apprenticeship Program

Public Allies Apprenticeship Program

Complete a 10-month paid apprenticeship, build leadership skills to earn an AmeriCorps education award.

Public Allies

Trainings & Certifications

Public Allies Apprenticeship Program

Public Allies Apprenticeship Program

Interview Prep

Interview Prep

Test your knowledge of each phase of the interview process and learn how to ace your next interview.

CareerCircle

Tools

Interview Prep

Interview Prep

Resume Builder

Resume Builder

Build a professional resume in minutes that will get you noticed by today's top employers.

CareerCircle

Tools

Resume Builder

Resume Builder

Green Jobs Now

Green Jobs Now

Content series with training programs preparing job seekers with in-demand skills.

Working Nation

Career Exploration

Green Jobs Now

Green Jobs Now

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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 70+ 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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