When Rocío Peña first joined Forté’s Career Ready Certificate program, she was looking for practical skills that would help her prepare for internships and future roles. What she found was a stronger sense of self.
"One of the biggest things the Career Ready Certificate taught me is to show up with confidence and believe that I deserve to be in the room," Rocío said.
The Forté Career Ready Certificate is an online career accelerator that helps undergraduate students build professional skills, explore career opportunities, and prepare for internships and future roles.
People often ask who you are and where you come from, and learning how to clearly introduce yourself in a short and meaningful way has been extremely helpful."
A student at Forté member, Florida International University, Rocío shared that the program helped her better understand the professional skills that are not always taught in class, from networking and teamwork to communication and workplace expectations. She said the resources made her feel more comfortable asking questions, engaging with others, and building connections in ways that felt natural.
For Rocío, several parts of the program stood out. A webinar on Excel tips gave her more confidence in a skill she knows employers value, while the elevator pitch module helped her feel more prepared to introduce herself clearly and professionally.
"People often ask who you are and where you come from, and learning how to clearly introduce yourself in a short and meaningful way has been extremely helpful," she said.
The program also helped Rocío feel more organized about her future. She especially appreciated the undergraduate-year timelines, which showed her what to focus on at each stage of college, and the recommendations for apps and tools that support productivity and learning.
As someone whose parents are not familiar with how the workforce operates in the United States, Rocío said having access to these kinds of resources made a real difference.
"I am truly grateful to Forté because the Career Ready Certificate gave me guidance and tools that I once thought would be difficult to access on my own," she said.
The Career Ready Certificate is designed to help students build practical skills, grow their confidence, and better understand how to navigate internships, networking, and early career opportunities. Rocío’s story is a reminder that the program is not only about preparing for work. It is about helping students see that they belong there, too.
