CSU East Bay’s Pioneer Career Accelerator (PCA), led by the Career Empowerment Center (CEC), is an innovative workforce development program funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) via the California Employment Development Department (EDD). Designed to accelerate career readiness and employment outcomes for young adults, PCA integrates structured coaching, employer engagement, and milestone-based skill development within a university setting.

This panel centers participant voices reflecting on the experiences that shaped their career breakthroughs. Moderated by Dr. Harshdeep Singh Nanda (Grants Director) and Rachel Ticas (Experiential Learning Coordinator), the session pairs authentic insight with a behind-the-scenes look at the intentional design driving results.

Attendees will leave with replicable strategies to strengthen young adult workforce programs, deepen employer partnerships, and implement federally-funded models that deliver measurable outcomes.