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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

See The Impact

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

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NJIT FutureWork Portfolio

NJIT FutureWork Portfolio

Build in-demand skills through NJIT's self-paced online courses and microcredential programs.

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Trainings & Certifications

NJIT FutureWork Portfolio

NJIT FutureWork Portfolio

I Want That Job!

I Want That Job!

Videos of promising career paths for early-career workers of all education levels.

Working Nation

Career Exploration

I Want That Job!

I Want That Job!

Merit America Course Catalog

Merit America Course Catalog

Gain industry-recognized credentials in 14 weeks without quitting your day job.

Merit America

Trainings & Certifications

Merit America Course Catalog

Merit America Course Catalog

Tech Impact ITWorks Program

Tech Impact ITWorks Program

IT support classes and CompTIA A+ certification prep in Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Nashville, and Delaware.

Tech Impact

Trainings & Certifications

Tech Impact ITWorks Program

Tech Impact ITWorks Program

The Skills Matcher

The Skills Matcher

Rate yourself on 40 key workplace skills to discover career options matched to your strengths.

CareerOneStop

Career Exploration

The Skills Matcher

The Skills Matcher

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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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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