A Letter from Basta’s CEO & Founder, Sheila Sarem

In a year when AI has reshaped how people apply for jobs, higher education is evolving and employers are hiring in an uncertain labor market, our impact feels more urgent than ever. 

This is exactly the moment when Basta’s mission - connecting first-generation college students to strong first jobs - matters most. And, I’m super proud to share how we are meeting the moment. 

With Seekr on 300+ campuses across 45 states, we have more students using our platform this fall than the entire 2025/2026 academic year. But, the real story is how these numbers will translate into impact.

Basta is building the infrastructure that transforms how first-gen talent enter and advance in the workforce.

Seekr: Precision AI Matching connecting 7,000 Students to Careers

What began as a career assessment in 2022 is now the country’s only AI career navigation platform built on the richest dataset of first-gen career journeys. What sets us apart is not just the technology but the precision and access it creates. Our job matching capabilities go far beyond GPA, major and location, ensuring strong alignment for both employers and young people. 

With Elaine Zhou joining as our first Chief Product & Technology Officer (she previously led Change.org’s transformation), we’ve built an in-house product team and created one integrated place where students can assess their strengths, get precisely matched, and track their applications. 

Seekr makes first-gen talent visible at scale, connecting students to employers and networks they wouldn’t otherwise reach. And those connections are already translating into outcomes: 4,235 applications across 880 companies in the last 21 days.

The entry-level job market is tightening, and graduates feel the squeeze. For students, Basta provides clarity and access. For employers drowning in AI-generated resumes, Basta cuts through the noise with a vetted, high-signal talent pipeline that drives better hires and bottom-line results. That’s why Blackstone LaunchPad expanded their partnership with us, and demand for our platform is surging.

And we’re not doing this alone. We’ve welcomed three new board members with deep expertise in higher ed, philanthropy, workforce, and tech, strengthening our leadership for national growth. Our next chapter begins in North Carolina, a state known for educational excellence and early-career opportunity.

The infrastructure is live. The momentum is undeniable. And we’re just getting started.

We’re building something much bigger than a platform: we’re building a new pathway into the workforce. To every partner, supporter, and employer helping make it real: thank you. Your belief in first-generation talent is what turns momentum into lasting impact.

With gratitude,

Sheila 

If you’re ready to see how AI and access come together to power first-gen success, contact us for a demo of our new precision job board.