SPEAKHIRE: Empowering First-Gen and Immigrant Youth with TIQC's Support

For many first-generation and immigrant youth, success in early careers often feels out of reach, not because of a lack of ambition, but because of a lack of access. SpeakHire is working to change that reality. The nonprofit, founded with the mission to Support, Prepare, Empower All Kinds to get hired, equips young people with the essential skills schools often overlook which are communication, time management, and confidence.

The seed for SpeakHire was planted during a pivotal moment when Hetal Jani, the founder of SpeakHire experienced a sixth-grade student of hers being threatened with marriage. The girl had scored an 80 on a school essay and, instead of being encouraged for receiving what was still the highest grade in her class, she was told by her father that grades like an 80 meant that she would not amount to much success and that marriage would provide a more stable future. In her eyes the spark of intelligence and potential was suddenly clouded by doubt. That moment revealed the deeper challenges many youth face, especially girls in immigrant communities. SpeakHire was created to ensure that these young people don’t just dream of independence but actually achieve it, with the mentors, skills, and opportunities they need to pursue careers they choose for themselves.

Like many mission-driven organizations, SpeakHire faced challenges in its early days. Schools were hesitant to embrace programs that focused on soft skills and identity-driven leadership, dismissing them as secondary to academic achievement. Families too, often pushed their children toward what they saw as the quickest path to financial stability, rather than long-term career growth. Overcoming these barriers meant building credibility by demonstrating student outcomes, codifying a thoughtful curriculum, and adapting based on youth feedback. At the same time, SpeakHire has learned to bring families into the conversation, approaching them with compassion, evidence, and stories of transformation that highlight the vast potential their children hold.

The Tech Incubator at Queens College (TIQC) has played an instrumental role in SpeakHire’s growth. For the founder, a Queens College alum, returning to campus more than a decade later as a founder rather than a student was a powerful full-circle moment. The incubator has been more than just a coworking space; it has been a supportive community and a place to test, build, and refine strategy. TIQC provided the grounding and resources needed to further the development of the SpeakHire Hub, a digital platform that streamlines program registration and engagement while laying the groundwork for direct connections between alumni and employers. But more than that, it’s provided a network of fellow entrepreneurs and mentors who understand what it means to build with purpose. The support here is real—from practical tools to moral encouragement. It has meant everything to grow SPEAKHIRE in a place that helped shaped who I am.

Looking ahead, SpeakHire is in a period of exciting growth. The team recently launched the SpeakHire Hub across school partners in New York City and is working to refine the user experience while preparing to onboard employers to the platform. The long-term vision is to create a bridge that connects participants not only to SpeakHire’s programs but also to real, high-quality career opportunities. For immigrant and first-generation individuals, this kind of access has the potential to be life-changing. The organization is also expanding partnerships with schools and employers who share its commitment to equity and workforce access, with the larger goal of showing that leadership, cultural capital, and confidence are not “soft skills” but survival tools. By investing in young people early, SpeakHire believes they will not just enter the workforce but they will transform it.

Learn more about SpeakHire:
Website: https://www.speakhire.org/en
Instagram: @speakhire
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SPEAKHIRE/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/speakhire