Student Success: Kaleb Keown
Kaleb Keown is a first-generation student who graduated debt-free from Arizona State University in May of 2019.
Kaleb Keown is a first-generation student who graduated from Arizona State University in May of 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Kaleb worked at Education at Work (EAW) for more than a year and accepted a full-time position in April 2020 with the same financial service company he worked with while employed at Education at Work.
Kaleb quickly grew his skills at EAW, earning a promotion as a Senior Agent while he was an undergraduate student. Once he graduated with his bachelor’s degree, Kaleb was promoted to a Student Supervisor role.
“My overall experience at Education at Work is nothing short of amazing,” says Kaleb. “I had virtually no professional work experience going into EAW, and I walked out with a resume worth of amazing experience.”
When he first joined the EAW team, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He says he was seeking professional experience but was also met with a fun and exciting crowd of people that supported him through his journey.
“The people around you make the biggest difference, especially people with different educational backgrounds,” says Kaleb. “You’re networking every single day you’re in there, let alone just making great friends and having a good time.”
After making connections with his peers, Kaleb found that the most valuable skill he learned was how to be an effective leader for his team. Kaleb says his time at EAW prepared him to help lead people to help them succeed.
After working for Education at Work for just under two years, Kaleb earned more than $5,600 in tuition assistance. He says that without the tuition assistance he earned he wouldn’t have been able to graduate debt free.
Founded in 2012, Education at Work (EAW) is a national work-based learning nonprofit that helps students graduate with less debt and more skills, connections, and confidence by connecting them with flexible, paid employment opportunities. We help high-achieving college students gain the career-ready skills and financial stability needed to succeed after graduation. Our campus-based “learn and earn” model generates career outcomes for students, provides employers with a skilled workforce to address early talent needs, and helps colleges boost affordability while improving student success. We are proud that success stories like Kaleb’s are evidence of the positive impact our work-based learning model is having on students. If you are a student interested in applying for a position at EAW, have questions, or want more information, please contact us.