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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

Hidden Genius Project Programs

Hidden Genius Project Programs

Build technical skills and entrepreneurial thinking through immersive training in coding, hardware, and tech leadership.

Hidden Genius Project

Trainings & Certifications

Hidden Genius Project Programs

Hidden Genius Project Programs

Propel America Healthcare Fellowship

Propel America Healthcare Fellowship

Earn a Medical Assistant certification and launch a healthcare career through Propel America's fellowship program.

Propel America

Trainings & Certifications

Propel America Healthcare Fellowship

Propel America Healthcare Fellowship

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

SkillUp Job Board

SkillUp Job Board

Full-time jobs that don't require a degree.

SkillUp

Job Boards

SkillUp Job Board

SkillUp Job Board

Launch of Philadelphia Urban Technology Project

Launch of Philadelphia Urban Technology Project

Train for an IT career through a registered pre-apprenticeship program in Philadelphia.

Launch of Philadelphia

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Launch of Philadelphia Urban Technology Project

Launch of Philadelphia Urban Technology Project

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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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