Three Pillars, One Mission

Think Big for Kids is a national nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by preparing students to excel in today’s workforce. Our Three Pillars Program takes students from middle school through graduation and beyond through career exploration, mentorship, and job readiness & placement. Think Big for Kids strives to give every young person the education and opportunities to achieve their career plan and earn a livable wage. 

We Start in Middle School — When It Matters Most

The middle school years are a critical turning point. Students are open to life’s possibilities. They dream big. But they’re also at increased risk of peer pressure and disengagement. Think Big begins here by design, sparking curiosity and career awareness before limitations have a chance to take hold. 

We focus primarily on students most at risk of slipping through the cracks: the B, C, D, and struggling students who are often overlooked and underestimated  in traditional pathways. These young people typically lack access to career awareness, post-high school planning, and the resources needed to achieve financial well-being. (Think Big also supports A and honor students across all three pillars.) 

40%

According to the United Way’s United for ALICE framework, 40% of American families are working yet struggle to afford basic living expenses.1 Think Big exists to change that trajectory, one student at a time. 

United for ALICE; United Way of Northern New Jersey.

  • Career Exploration

    What’s Possible When You Spark a Passion?

    For many young people from financially underserved backgrounds, entire industries and career paths remain out of sight and out of reach. Think Big changes that. 

    Our partner companies open their doors and their worlds to middle and high school students through:

    • Monthly Career Showcases
    • Field Trips
    • Skill-Building Workshops
    • Summer Programs

    From healthcare and technology to business, construction, and trades, Think Big’s Career Exploration Program introduces students to the full range of career paths available – and the skills required to succeed in each one. 

    Career Exploration in Action: 2024–25 Academic Year 

    1,580 students participated

    88% earned about careers they didn’t know existed 

    81% said Think Big is helping them decide what they want to do after high school 

    Awareness is the first step toward opportunity.

    Learn More About Career Exploration

  • Mentorship Exploration

    The Power of a Positive Role Model

    Many of the students in our program have never had one-on-one academic or life skills guidance. Think Big’s Mentorship Program pairs each student – beginning as early as 9th grade – with an experienced mentor who helps them explore career options, develop an educational plan, and stay accountable as they navigate high school and beyond. 

    Every match is personal, based on: 

    • Career interests and personality
    • Educational goals and post-graduation pathway
    • Life experience and background

    Mentors commit just two hours a month, and many stay with their students long after graduation, supporting them through college applications, first jobs, and everything in between. 

    Mentorship in Action: 2024–25 Academic Year: 

    95 students paired with a mentor

    100% of high school senior mentees are taking active steps toward their career goals 

    Learn More About the Mentorship Program

  • Job Readiness & Placement

    How We Build Tomorrow’s Workforce

    Career awareness and mentorship set the foundation. Think Big’s Job Readiness & Placement Program is where preparation meets opportunity. 

    Think Big helps students pursue their chosen career path through: 

    • Internships and Apprenticeships
    • Professional and Soft Skills Workshops
    • Job Shadowing
    • Job Placement Assistance
    • Scholarships

    Every student’s path is different, and there is no single road to a livable wage. Think Big supports all of them with four post-graduation pathways:  

    • Direct-to-work and on-the-job training
    • Two-year community college programs
    • Technical trades certifications
    • Four-year university degrees

    Think Big stays with students from high school through post-graduation because crossing the stage is just the beginning. 

    Job Readiness & Placement in Action: 2024–25 
Academic Year: 

    86% of students rated their internship experience as excellent 

    1,815 students actively participated 

    46 program sites across 5 states 

    A career isn’t just a job. A career path can change a student’s future. 

    Learn More About Job Readiness & Placement

Think Big’s Scholarship Program

Investing in Their Future

Scholarships are the pinnacle of Think Big’s Job Readiness & Placement Program and one of the most direct ways we break the cycle of poverty.

Since 2020

$1.3M+in scholarships awarded

350+students supported

Covering tuition, books, supplies and living necessities 

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we offer scholarships with a specific educational focus, including: 

  • Business and Law
  • Law Enforcement 
  • Technical Trades 
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Nursing

Students can reapply for scholarships throughout their educational journey because we know financial barriers don’t disappear after the first year. 

85%

Think Big scholarship recipients are first-generation college students. 

View All Scholarships

Help Support Our Mission

Support Our Mission