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STEM Programs

Equipping young adults for thriving STEM careers with STEMWorks

70%+

STEMWorks participants step into well-paying STEM jobs—with opportunities for advancement

100%

Young adults from backgrounds under-represented in STEM

88%

Efficacy rate of participants achieving a positive outcome

85%+

STEMWorks participants successfully complete the STEMWorks program

Young women at STEMWorks event

STEMWorks supports young adults in career planning and successful futures

STEMWorks is an intensive, holistic employment program for recent graduates of Chicagoland’s high schools who do not have a college or career plan. Working with our corporate partners, STEMWorks engages, trains, and places young adults into high-quality STEM-related, entry positions in IT, healthcare, construction, the trades, manufacturing, and more (see application below). We then guide and support them for success in their first job and onto their STEM career pathway.

New things happening! Lumity launches a new project—a Training Center in Maywood. Read about this exciting new venture.

STEMWorks Speaker

STEMWorks helps recent high school grads succeed in family sustaining STEM jobs

STEMWorks benefits for our students, community and partners

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STEMWorks participants receive support in clearing obstacles to job success, including access to transportation, childcare, counseling, and more

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STEMWorks graduates become part of a STEM professional alumni network that provides mentorship and supports their STEM education and career advancement beyond their first job

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Chicagoland acquire a new generation of young people with STEM skills in IT, construction, the trades, healthcare and more—all skills that contribute to Chicagoland’s quality of life

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Our communities provide a new way for high schools to connect new graduates to quality, living-wage STEM employment

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Corporate partners benefit from Lumity’s ongoing supports and mentoring for the STEMWorks participants they hire—furthering employee satisfaction and retention goals

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Employers gain new ideas and energy from STEMWorks participants ready and eager to take on their new roles

Join STEMWorks and launch your STEM career!

Do you live in the Chicagoland area, are between the ages of 17-24, and seeking a well-paying career? If so, join STEMWorks to launch your career in STEM! Contact Kevin Phillips at 773-236-2363.


  • checkFind a career path that excites you and supports your financial goals
  • checkGet job coaching and mentoring to ensure success in your new career
  • checkDevelop new skills that will last a lifetime
  • checkGain access to employers in the growing fields of construction trades, healthcare, IT/Technology, Manufacturing, and more.

Obtain certifications for the career path of your choice.

  • Construction and the Trades for participants at least 18+: Obtain certifications for union apprenticeships and construction employment “through the IL Works program
  • Healthcare: Become a Certified Nurse Assistant or Phlebotomist—both in-demand jobs that can lead to booming careers in healthcare
  • IT: Earn CompTIA+ certification and step right into the tech industry
  • Manufacturing: Earn forklift certification for hands-on, well-paying jobs close to home

STEMWorks guides you step-by-step through industry certification and job placement with ongoing help for career success. Training locations near you: the South Loop at 1132 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 400 in Chicago; Southside Chicago at Chicago Vocational Career Academy and Simeon Career Academy; and the western suburbs held in Maywood, Illinois. 

* STEMWorks is made possible through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Illinois Works grant and the Illinois Dept. of Human Services Illinois Youth Investment Program grant, and the YouthBuild Illinois Coalition program.

Illinois Works and IDHS logos

Illinois Works, IDHS, and YouthBuild Logos

Success Story

Lumity students success

Headshot of Adrian Willis

“Lumity helped me get my job. My whole attitude and the way I do things is because of Lumity. They helped me get focused and helped me figure out what I need to do for my future. They didn’t give up on us. They pushed us and they really care.”

Adrian Willis
2019 Participant
Headshot of Deon Brown

“Lumity taught me the skills I needed to get a job and get a job I was interested in and could improve in. They still check in with me to make sure I’m progressing. It makes me feel good that somebody has my back.”

Deon Brown
Graduate

Join other STEM leaders to help the STEMWorks program make a difference!

Contact Amber Taylor,
Corporate & Volunteer Relationship Manager, for questions about how to get involved.

STEMWorks

Learn how our post-secondary employment program trains young adults and places them in entry-level STEM positions.

STEM Talks

Share advice and inspire our students by becoming a STEM Talks volunteer. With your help, our students see the possibilities of a STEM career.

Get Involved

Whether you’re giving a corporate contribution, individual donation, or a few hours of your time, your help impacts our students.