Who We Are

Emerge Career’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty and incarceration. We’re not just building software; we’re creating pathways to real second chances. Through an all-in-one platform deeply embedded within the criminal justice system, we recruit, train, and place justice-impacted individuals into life-changing careers.

Our vision is to become the country’s unified workforce development system, replacing disconnected brick-and-mortar job centers with one integrated, tech-powered solution that meets low-income individuals exactly where they are. Today, the federal government spends billions annually on education and training programs, yet only about 70% of participants graduate, just 38.6% secure training-related employment, and average first-year earnings hover around $34,708.

By contrast, our seven-person team has already outperformed the job centers in two entire states (Vermont and South Dakota) in just the past year. With an 89% graduation rate and 92% of graduates securing training-related employment, our alumni aren’t just getting jobs—they’re launching new lives with average first-year earnings of $77,352. The results speak for themselves, and we’re just getting started.

Before Emerge, our founders Zo and Gabe co-founded Ameelio, an award-winning tech nonprofit that is dismantling the prison communication duopoly. Backed by tech luminaries like Reid Hoffman, Vinod Khosla, and Jack Dorsey, and by major criminal-justice philanthropies such as Arnold Ventures and the Mellon Foundation, Ameelio became a recognized leader in the space. Because of this experience both Zo and Gabe understood what it took to create change from within the system. After serving over 1M people impacted by incarceration, they witnessed firsthand the gap in second-chance opportunities and the chronic unemployment plaguing those impacted by the justice system. Emerge Career is committed to solving this issue.

Our students are at the heart of our work. Their journeys have captured national attention on CBS, NBC, and in The Boston Globe, and our programs now serve entire states and cities. And we’re not doing it alone: our vision has attracted support from Alexis Ohanian (776),  Michael Seibel, Y Combinator, the Opportunity Fund, and public figures like Diana Taurasi, Deandre Ayton, and Marshawn Lynch. All of us believe that, with the right mix of technology and hands-on practice, we can redefine workforce development and deliver true second chances at scale.

Why We Do This:

Emerge Career was designed to tackle two systemic issues: recidivism, fueled by post-incarceration unemployment and poverty, and labor shortages in key industries. Over 60% of formerly incarcerated people remain unemployed a year after incarceration, seeking work but not finding it. The reality is shocking, workforce development programs are severely limited inside prison, with only one-third of incarcerated people ever participating. To worsen, the available prison jobs offer meager wages, often less than $1 per hour, and often do not equip individuals with the skills for long-term stable employment.

About the Role

We're looking for a Content Strategist to make Emerge impossible to ignore. This role is the engine behind our content strategy—you'll create compelling video and social content that drives student sign-ups, engages partners, and builds Emerge's brand as the leader in second-chance workforce development.

This is an consulting opportunity with a clear path to full-time employment based on performance and results. You won't be doing busywork. You'll own our content pipeline end-to-end: capturing student stories, editing high-impact videos, managing our social presence, and directly contributing to our growth.

The ideal candidate is a creative storyteller who loves making short-form video, understands platform optimization, and thrives in fast-paced environments. You're scrappy, organized, and deeply comfortable turning raw footage into content that moves people to action.

Who You Are

• You're a visual storyteller. You see a 30-minute interview and immediately know which 60 seconds will make people stop scrolling. You understand pacing, emotion, and the hook. You've made content that people actually watch.
• You believe everyone deserves a second chance. You treat everyone with dignity. You know how to meet people where they are—with empathy and compassion—helping create a space where everyone feels seen and valued, regardless of their background.
• You're platform-native. You don't just post content—you understand why certain videos blow up on TikTok but die on LinkedIn. You know the difference between engagement bait and authentic storytelling. You stay ahead of trends without chasing every one.
• You're scrappy and autonomous. You don't wait for perfect conditions. If you need footage, you figure out how to get it. If something isn't working, you try something else. You're resourceful, low-maintenance, and comfortable with ambiguity.
• You work hard. You show up, do what needs to get done—no ego, no excuses. The team puts in long hours because we care about the mission and each other. If that sounds miserable, this isn't for you. If it sounds exciting, you'll fit right in.
• You love learning. You tinker with new tools. You're always rethinking how you work so you can keep leveling up. Nobody needs to tell you to improve your game.
• You're a clear communicator. You value precision, clarity, and brevity. You understand that good communication reduces confusion and keeps everyone aligned.

What You'll Do

Tell stories that change lives.

Every week, people walk out of prison and into our programs — and months later, they're earning $77K in careers they never thought possible. Your job is to make sure the world sees these stories.

Content Creation & Video Editing (60%)

You'll be in the room when a student passes their CDL exam after years of setbacks. You'll capture the moment an employer says "you're hired" to someone society wrote off. Then you'll turn those moments into content that stops the scroll and moves people to action.

• Edit weekly video content: student success stories, program updates, behind-the-scenes footage, and employer spotlights
• Create short-form content (Reels, TikToks, YouTube Shorts) that drives sign-ups and builds our brand
• Repurpose long-form recordings (webinars, interviews, training footage) into clips that hit
• Build templates and systems that let us move fast without sacrificing quality

Social Media Management (30%)

You'll own how Emerge shows up online — not just posting, but building a community around second chances.

• Run day-to-day posting across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube
• Develop a content calendar tied to real growth goals (not vanity metrics)
• Engage with our community — the students, the advocates, the skeptics
• Stay ahead of trends and know which ones are worth chasing

Brand & Growth Collaboration (10%)

Content isn't just marketing — it's how we reach people who need us most. You'll work closely with Admissions to make sure every piece of content pulls its weight.

• Create content that actually drives learner sign-ups
• Bring creative ideas to campaigns and experiments
• Help shape what Emerge looks and sounds like as we scale

What Success Looks Like

In 90 days:

• A consistent content engine is running — high-quality videos shipping every week
• Our social channels are growing in reach, engagement, and (most importantly) sign-ups
• You've captured at least 3-5 student stories that make people feel something

In 12 months:

• Emerge is recognized as the voice in second-chance workforce development
• Our content is a meaningful driver of enrollment growth
• You've helped build a playbook we can scale nationally

Who You Are

• 1+ years of video editing or content creation experience (personal projects count — show us what you've made)
• Proficient with editing tools (CapCut, Premiere, DaVinci, or similar)
• Platform-native — you've published on TikTok, Reels, LinkedIn, or YouTube and understand what works where
• A storyteller — you know how to find the 60 seconds in a 30-minute interview that makes people stop scrolling
• Fast and scrappy — you don't wait for perfect conditions
• Mission-driven — you care about second chances, economic mobility, and the people we serve

Bonus points:

• Canva or design tool experience
• Familiarity with social analytics and growth strategies
• Reddit native — you actually use the platform and understand the culture (no spammy self-promotion)
• SEO/content marketing awareness — you understand how social and search work together
• Background in workforce development, education, or justice-related fields
• Can shoot footage when needed (smartphone is fine)
• Uses AI tools to move faster