Impact Report 2025–2026 • 7 Laila Warrick High School: Franklin Learning Center (’24) College: Swarthmore College, Majoring in Anthropology with a Biology Major (anticipated graduation ’28) How did Heights help turn your personal drive into real industry experience? “It wasn’t until I began doing internships with Heights that I realized how interested in STEM I was and how much I could do with just a bit of access. Heights got me into engineering labs where I could watch massive machines compress concrete blocks into dust and lab spaces where the centrifuges could be bigger than my whole body. Heights provided me with the opportunities I needed to immerse myself in the industry.” How did participating in hands-on learning or internships impact your views on your career options? “Before working with the BEAM program, where we teach high schoolers from all over the city about the life sciences, I don’t think I would have ever considered teaching as a possible career path. In making lesson plans, figuring out the best way to teach kids certain subjects, and navigating the rollercoaster that is managing a classroom, I’ve found that being an instructor is so rewarding. With the help of some of our program partners, I’ve even discovered some positions within the School District of Philadelphia that I’m interested in. Without this internship, I don’t think I would have considered education at all.” How have mentors and advisors helped you reach your career goals? “When I found out who my Heights mentor was and realized how similar my desired path was to her current career, I was ecstatic. Being able to speak with a mentor in the biometrics field, especially as someone with a wish to go into a career involving public health and biostatistics, both humbled and validated me. In our conversations, I realized that I was not as open-minded as I thought when it came to different paths in the workforce. Another helpful part was how much we talked about our next steps. Navigating graduate school is confusing, but has become much clearer with the help of my mentor.” What has been a transformative moment in your career journey? “When I realized I wanted to both help people and work in the medical industry, it felt like the only option I had was becoming a doctor. I did attempt to go the pre-med route, but that time in my academic career was quite precarious. Essentially, I was forcing myself down a path I did not want to take. While I wanted to help people, I was chasing a title and validation when I could have been making my family just as proud doing something I actually deeply cared about.” How has working with Heights helped you develop the confidence to advocate for yourself, navigate work environments, and build your own professional network? “Heights has given me the gift of knowing that I belong in STEM spaces. At my school, which is a PWI, there are not many people who look like me — much less who share similar career plans. It can be easy to feel like I don’t belong or to succumb to imposter syndrome, but when I come home to Philadelphia and work with Heights, I see girls who look like me working in the labs that I visit, in my mentors, and in the students I worked with during my internship. I am building connections with my future industry peers, but also feeling welcome. This empowers me to go back to school ready to remind people that I belong and that I am capable.” Experiential Learning & Summer Programming Summer is a launchpad for economic mobility at Heights. We deliver intensive academic, STEM, and career-readiness programming designed to support middle school, high school, and college students as they navigate their pathways to career success. Removing Barriers Through Financial Stipends For many students, summer means choosing between a part-time paycheck and academic enrichment. By providing financial stipends across our summer tracks, Heights removes economic barriers — ensuring all Philadelphia youth can access life-changing college and career preparation. Summer Programming: Impact at a Glance • 1,000+ students • $550,000+ in stipends • 16 summer programs, including: ° College Success Summer Institute ° Business and Entrepreneurship ° Accounting ° Finance (Dual Enrollment) ° Steppingstone Academy ° Computer Science/ STEM Academy ° Biomedical & Life Science Foundations ° ACS Project SEED ° Penn Engineering ° Temple + Heights ° Health Care Foundations ° Human Services Foundations ° Law and Justice Mentorship Program ° College Kickstart ° Owl Camp • 2 college campuses ° Temple University ° University of Pennsylvania • 39% of our seasonal staff are Heights alum or current collegians Summer Enrichment Collegian Teacher
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