Talent is everywhere.
Opportunity is not.
For more than 60 years SEO has helped more than 26,000 talented young people achieve what they never thought possible. Ready to be one of them?
Our Impact
Founded in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement, SEO closes educational and career opportunity gaps for 7,000+ ambitious young people annually. All are welcome to apply.
Our story
“SEO opened my eyes to the power of education and gave me the support and confidence to reach higher than I ever could have imagined. With their help, I attended MIT’s Summer Enrichment Program, grew as a student and person, and earned full-ride offers from Harvard, Yale, Williams, and UVA. I’m now headed to Harvard to study biochemistry and engineering and chase my dream of becoming a physician.”
Devin SEO Scholar
“SEO Career was a gift in navigating and balancing the demands of academics, NCAA Division I athletics, and the search for internships. Without SEO’s structured approach and access to opportunities, I would never have imagined spending my sophomore summer at JPMorgan!”
Honor SEO Career
“Enrolling in the SEO Tech Developer Program was my first real opportunity to have my potential truly seen and step forward in my career. My interview felt like a genuine conversation — like I was just meeting someone new and telling them about myself. Knowing that my value was seen, as well as the fact that we’re getting paid to learn, there was no doubt in my mind I wanted to enroll in the program.”
Adrian SEO Tech Developer
“I’ve been involved with SEO since undergrad, and the program was instrumental in helping me break into investment banking, then private equity, and now investment management. At each step, I leaned on the SEO network for interview preparation, mentorship, and networking support.”
Michael SEO Alternative Investments
“Being selected as an SEO Law Fellow and securing a fellowship at a major law firm has been a transformative experience. It’s inspiring to see how my passion for the law can make an impact and has given me confidence as I prepare to start at Duke University School of Law.”
Mya SEO Law Fellowship
“Joining the Protégé program and being matched with a mentor who truly cares about my growth has been incredibly fulfilling. Through his support and network, I gained access to senior professionals, feedback on my ideas, and the reassurance that I’m not alone in my career journey.”
Carl SEO Leadership Institute
Our Programs are Designed For You
Each of our free educational and career programs creates opportunities for talented and motivated young people, building on their individual strengths, skills, and determination.
SEO Scholars
SEO Career
SEO Tech Developer
SEO Alternative Investments
SEO Law
SEO Leadership Institute
Ready to achieve your potential?
If you’re motivated and ambitious, find the program that’s right for you.
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Annual Awards Dinner 2024
The SEO Annual Awards Dinner brings together sponsors, partners, alumni, and other passionate supporters to honor remarkable leaders, celebrate our students, and raise critical support for the work we do
together every day.
Frequently Asked Questions About SEO Programs
Here you’ll find the most common questions students ask about SEO Scholars, SEO Career, SEO Tech Developer, SEO Alternative Investments, SEO Law and SEO Leadership Institute. Students and interested candidates can learn more or apply at SEO‑USA.org
SEO is a national nonprofit that closes educational and career opportunity gaps for 7,000+ ambitious young people annually.
SEO offers six main programs: SEO Scholars, SEO Career, SEO Alternative Investments, SEO Tech Developer, SEO Law and SEO Leadership Institute.
SEO has programs for motivated and ambitious high school students, college students, and early career professionals.
Yes. All SEO programs are completely free for students and participants.
Each program has its own application timeline, required materials, and deadlines. Students should review the program pages and eligibility requirements for the program that suits their goals and submit their application through the website at seo-usa.org.
Deadlines vary by program and season. The most current deadlines are posted on SEO‑USA.org.
Yes, SEO partners with top employers who offer career opportunities for ambitious young people. SEO Career offers internships in finance, alternative investments, commercial real estate, insurance, and other corporate fields. SEO Law offers fellowships at Big Law firms for incoming law students. SEO Tech Developer prepares college students for careers in the tech industry. All participants receive training, coaching, and access to competitive opportunities. More information is available at SEO‑USA.org.
SEO participants gain academic support, mentorship, paid internships, and access to a lifelong professional network.