EDITOR’S NOTE: South King Media Founder/Publisher Scott Schaefer serves on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce.
Sixty students graduated Aug. 14 from the 2026 Workforce Discovery Lab, a free Seattle Southside Chamber and Success Foundation program designed to introduce South King County students to career pathways across the region.
The two-week program served students from the Highline and Tukwila school districts, with participants selected from more than 200 applicants, Seattle Southside Chamber President and CEO Samantha Le said during the ceremony. Students explored careers in health care, aviation, hospitality, government, skilled trades, STEM and other fields.
“We want students to see what’s possible before they have to decide what comes next,” Le said. “And we believe students and families should be able to define success in their own way.”
Le said the program exposes students to “low barrier, high earning career pathways,” including four-year universities, community and technical colleges, apprenticeships, skilled trades, entrepreneurship and direct entry into careers.
The Workforce Discovery Lab began five years ago with nine students, two staff members and an idea, Le said. This year, 60 students participated, supported by employers, schools, cities, businesses, volunteers and families.
Financial supporters included the Port of Seattle, BECU, Gesa Credit Union, the cities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, Tukwila and SeaTac, Westfield Southcenter Mall and Highline College, according to Le. She said $50,000 raised at a community gala last November helped make this year’s program possible.
Because of those investments, Le said, the program remains free to students from the Highline and Tukwila school districts, and each student who successfully completes the program receives a $500 stipend.
“Access should not depend on a family’s ability to pay,” Le said.
During the program, students practiced interviewing, built resumes, received professional headshots from Crain Photography, learned financial literacy, explored artificial intelligence and online presence, met colleges and employers, and visited businesses, hospitals, colleges, city hall, union trade facilities and the airfield at Sea-Tac Airport.
Highline School Board President Joe Van said the program gave students opportunities that classrooms alone cannot provide.
“Our schools can’t do it alone. Our families can’t do it alone. Our businesses can’t do it alone,” Van said. “But together, we can give these young people experiences that can change the way that they can see themselves and their future.”
Tukwila City Council President Armen Papyan said he first learned about the Workforce Discovery Lab about four years ago and later looked for ways to support it after hearing students describe its impact. He said the program received a $275,000 grant through the Port of Seattle, helping it expand.
Cathy Vue, speaking on behalf of the Port of Seattle, said the port funded the program through its South King County Fund, which supports community-led solutions that help people in South King County enter career and job pathways in aviation, construction trades, green jobs and maritime.
Student speakers said the program changed how they think about careers and success. Adrian, a rising senior at Mount Rainier High School, said professionals helped break down assumptions about different industries.
“I thought hospitals were just doctors and nurses, but after seeing what it was really like, it really blew my mind,” Adrien said.
Aiden de Cruz, an upcoming sophomore at Choice Academy, said the program helped him identify hospitality as a career interest.
“To all of the partners, never stop believing in this community because I can assure you that you didn’t just help 60 students today, but you helped me,” de Cruz said.
Le told students the program does not end with graduation, saying they become part of a continuing community of mentors and connections for internships, college applications, apprenticeships, grants, scholarships and interview preparation.
“We are your mentors, your connectors, and your cheerleaders for whatever comes next in your professional journey,” Le said.
Video
Below is video of the graduation held at Puget Sound Skills Center and filmed/edited by Scott Schaefer:
