KPMG Volunteers Aim to Inspire 'Aim High' Middle S

SAN FRANCISCO, July 11, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Think middle school students are too young to be exposed to business issues facing hard-charging audit, tax and consulting professionals?

Think again.

On July 15, volunteers from KPMG LLP's San Francisco office will host a group of 40 middle school students from Aim High , the Bay Area's largest provider of summer learning programs. Students and volunteers will work together to solve real internal and external business issues facing the global firm's audit, tax, and consulting businesses. The goal is to provide middle school youth with a clearer understanding of the myriad of opportunities within a single company.

"KPMG is committed to educating tomorrow's workforce at every stage of their academic career, so we're extremely proud to provide the students from Aim High with an opportunity to learn more about our profession," says Gavin Geminder, KPMG San Francisco Corporate Responsibility Partner In Charge. "Our people are passionate about ensuring that the children in our communities have the tools they need to succeed throughout their lives, and we know Aim High shares that passion."

Middle school is a critical juncture in adolescent development, and the ideal time to begin encouraging youth to consider their career options, and the education pathways required to make their dreams a reality.

"We are fortunate that KPMG will open up their doors to our students so they can broaden their horizons and see what it's like to work at a multi-national professional services company," said Alec Lee, executive director and co-founder of the 27-year-old nonprofit. "Aim High is all about creating opportunities for kids, and this is a fabulous opportunity."

This is the first summer Aim High has partnered with KPMG to provide students with experience in and exposure to professional careers.

About Aim High

The mission of Aim High is to inspire a life-long love of learning and to instill a sense of community, opportunity, and respect so that students are prepared for success in school and in life. Aim High provides low-income middle-school youth with a rigorous, enriching summer learning program for up to four consecutive summers. Aim High serves 1,500 students across the Bay Area, and employs 400 teachers every summer. Aim High students are: 95% of color, 83% live at low-income or poverty levels, and 70% will be the first generation in their families to graduate from college. Research has shown that sustained intervention during the middle school years keeps students engaged in their education, resulting in lower high school dropout rates and higher rates of college matriculation. Our program specifically works to prevent summer learning loss, which is a primary contributor to the achievement gap (Johns Hopkins University, 2007). For more information, visit www.aimhigh.org .

About KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm ( www.kpmg.com/us ), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG International's member firms have 152,000 professionals, including more than 8,600 partners, in 156 countries.

Media Contacts: Stacey Lewis, Aim High Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations 415-652-4196 Mike Alva, KPMG Associate Director, Communications 415-963-5426