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What does When We Grow Up actually do?
We partner with underfunded public schools and bring in professionals from high-paying, high-impact careers — like medicine, law, finance, and tech — to speak with students. The most compelling talks are turned into short, animated videos that can be shared with classrooms and families everywhere. Many of our speakers remain available for follow-up mentorship and guidance.
Who is this program for?
Our focus is on youth from underserved communities — particularly students in elementary, middle, and high schools where career exposure is limited. But the content we create is valuable for any student looking to explore new futures.
What kinds of careers do you highlight?
We feature professionals from a wide range of fields: medicine, software engineering, law, finance, product design, entrepreneurship, and more. We’re intentional about selecting speakers who are both inspiring and relatable — and who can explain what they do in a way kids can connect with.
How do you choose your partner schools?
We work with public schools and programs that serve predominantly low-income or “at-risk” student populations. Schools can also apply directly through our site to bring WWGU programming to their classrooms.
How are speakers selected?
Every speaker is hand-picked. We look for professionals who have a strong personal story, work in impactful fields, and can connect authentically with kids. They’re briefed before their sessions and supported throughout.
Do students get to follow up with the speakers?
Yes. Many of our speakers choose to remain involved informally — answering questions, recommending resources, or staying in touch with classrooms after the talk.
What makes this different from traditional career day?
A typical career day is a one-time event. WWGU is a system: we visit schools, record high-quality talks, turn them into cartoons kids actually want to watch, and make them accessible on-demand. That means the inspiration doesn’t end when the speaker leaves.
How do you fund this work?
We’re supported by a mix of corporate sponsors, individual donors, and foundation grants. Our model is designed to keep the program completely free for schools, students, and families.
Can my school apply to join?
Yes — we welcome interest from school leaders, teachers, and district partners. You can apply directly through our Partner With Us form, and someone from our team will follow up quickly.
Can I speak or volunteer?
Absolutely. If you work in a field you wish someone had told you about sooner — or know someone who does — we’d love to hear from you. You can fill out the Mentor/Speaker Interest Form to get started.