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About SEO

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO)

What began in 1963 as one of New York City’s first mentoring and college preparatory programs for underserved high school students has matured into a dynamic national organization.  Each year we provide a broad range of educational and career development opportunities to hundreds of high school students, college students and young professionals. 

With more than 6,000 graduates of the SEO Scholars and Career Programs, SEO alumni are well-represented as leaders in virtually every imaginable profession.  Our alumni are committed to using their success to create opportunities for the next generation. 

Alumni leadership has in fact spurred the creation of three international affiliates: SEO London, SEO China, and most recently, SEO Vietnam.

>> Click here to view the SEO video.

 

Career Program

The SEO Career Program recruits and trains outstanding underrepresented college students of color for summer internships that lead to full-time jobs with investment banks, corporate law firms and other leading global companies.  Historically, more than 75% of interns receive full-time job offers from SEO corporate partners.  Over the past two years, SEO has provided more than 600 internships with more than 50 corporate and nonprofit partners.  What begins as a 10-week summer internship turns into a lifelong professional network and a resource base for SEO alumni through every step of their development.

Scholars Program

The SEO Scholars Program is a year-round, out-of-school, academically rigorous program that prepares motivated urban public high school students to earn admission and succeed at competitive colleges and universities.  The program assists more than 400 high school and college students each year, offering a comprehensive roadmap to competitive college admissions and career success. We provide academic preparation, guidance, mentoring, and enriching life experiences that prepare students to take leadership roles in all areas of their lives.

Alumni & Philanthropy Programs

SEO is an alumni-driven organization.  Once a student is accepted into SEO, s/he becomes a member of a network of highly successful leaders.  Alumni & Philanthropy Programs support their ongoing professional and leadership development .  SEO coordinates panel discussions, networking events and virtual resources, as well as volunteer opportunities through which alumni help sustain and advance the organization while building their own skills and experiences.  Combined with the graduates of SEO London, SEO China and SEO Vietnam, the global SEO alumni nework numbers more than 8,000 and represents 46 U.S. states and 45 countries.

Alternative Investments Fellowship Program

SEO's Alternative Investments Fellowship Program (AIFP), our newest initiative, is an educational program for young professionals from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the alternative investments industry.  Created in 2009, the AIFP combines training and mentoring to strengthen Fellows as candidates for positions in private equity and other alternative investments.  The program also improves Fellow's skills as analysts by exploring strategic decisions involved in transactions from the client's point of view.