NORTHFORCE'S Mentor Connection Program Year Three Kickoff Event October 9
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NORTHFORCE’s Mentor Connection Program Year Three Kickoff Event October 9
The first event of year three of Mentor Connection coordinated by NORTHFORCE will kick off this Tuesday, October 9 at The Great Lakes Aquarium. The event will start at 5:30pm with networking beginning at 5:15pm.
NORTHFORCE has matched 55 students from CSS, LSC, WITC, UWS, and UMD with established local professionals who are invested in retaining talent here in the Northland. Between now and graduation in April 2019, mentors will offer career-specific guidance while introducing their mentees to the Twin Ports business community.
Over the course of six networking events, pairs will explore a range of professional development topics such as personal branding, team dynamics, and generational differences in the workplace. Each themed event will take place at a different location around the Twin Ports, from the Lake Superior Zoo to the Greysolon Ballroom. One of the most popular events of the program in years prior will once again take participants inside the Duluth Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday party this December.
With alumni who have gone on to internships and jobs at top ranking organizations including Facebook and Microsoft, expectations are high for year three of Mentor Connection. Participating mentors and mentees belong to a varied cross section of in-demand fields and skilled trades ranging from healthcare and IT to finance, marketing, and more.
“We expose students to the business world to give them a glimpse into the expectations of their future employers here in the Twin Ports,” said Kayla Dietzmann, Mentor Connection Project Manager. “Many employers are feeling like their team is understaffed due to the worker shortage. By being involved in Mentor Connection, they can try out an intern, and potentially even fill a future seat in their office.”
Essentia Health Physical Therapist Ashley Beecroft will return for her second year as a mentor this October.
“It’s rewarding to get to work with young individuals who are on their way to joining the workforce and transitioning from being a student to a peer and colleague,” said Beecroft. “Last year, I was fortunate enough to be matched with a bright, driven, and passionate student who shared many hobbies and interests with me in addition to pursuing the same career.”
“The Mentor Connection program has been a huge part of my formal education,” shared mentee Keke Sirjord. “I have seen myself personally become more comfortable with the uncomfortable.”
Mentor Connection’s October 9 event will be sponsored by Gardner Builders and Black Woods Catering. The second event of this year’s program will be held on Tuesday, November 13th at 5:30pm.
Mentor Connection is funded in part by the Community Opportunity Fund and the Living Legacy Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. Find more information on Mentor Connection by visiting the program website at https://www.northforce.org/individuals-mentor-connection/.
NORTHFORCE is a regional initiative aimed at connecting talent with opportunity in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Overseen by The Northspan Group and APEX, northforce.org exclusively posts jobs and internships from within northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. The site is designed for career-minded individuals who want to live and work in this region, and just need the right gig in order to stay here, relocate here, or come back home. It’s free to sign up, search jobs, and post jobs.
For more information please contact: Kayla Dietzmann by e-mail at kayla@northforce.org or by phone at 715-554-2662.
