SOCAL

Student Opportunities for Career Awareness and Learning (SOCAL) drives economic empowerment by elevating student awareness of career and educational opportunities across multiple industries and provides a forum for students to take meaningful steps towards participation in the workforce of tomorrow.

SOCAL is a collaborative program between education and industry created by Tri-City Medical Center, the San Diego North Economic Development Council and Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, Greater Escondido, San Marcos and Encinitas Chambers of Commerce. The vision is to give middle school, high school, post-secondary students and transitioning adults an opportunity to gain insights into career pathways, while allowing businesses and local organizations to participate in these students’ career exploration.

We have partnered with a wide array of interested stakeholders including school districts, CTE’s, colleges, universities, career training institutions, businesses, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and community members to make this a reality. Through this collaboration we aim to provide one place to host resources available to our community. Happy exploring!

FOSTERING INNOVATION FOR TOMORROW’S LEADERS

North County Facts at a Glance

home to

26

CITIES + UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES

over

1,200,000

RESIDENTS

constituting

37.5%

OF THE COUNTY’S POPULATION

1 in 5 households earn

$150,000

OR MORE ANNUALLY

more than

593,000

JOBS

new jobs:

3,200

IN LAST 12 MONTHS

resident education:

40%

BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR HIGHER

North County inventors added

2,800

PATENTS IN 2016

Industries with Growing Employment

life science:

32%

EMPLOYMENT GROWTH
SINCE 2013

software:

18%

EMPLOYMENT GROWTH
SINCE 2013

manufacturing:

27%

EMPLOYMENT GROWTH
SINCE 2012