Career Link Mentoring project with USBLNĀ® and Mitsubishi Foundation

Overview

The Career Link Mentoring Project connected approximately 75 college students and recent graduates that have disabilities with professionals in a variety of industries and occupations for guidance and support as they explore career opportunities and employment. With an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), the goal of this project was to assist employers in identifying diverse talent while contributing to the professional development of students and graduates with disabilities.

The Career Link Mentoring Program, funded by the Mitsubishi Electric America and Walmart Foundations, was a collaborative project between the Yang-Tan Institute and the United States Business Leadership Network (USBLN®), a membership organization of companies dedicated to the inclusion of employees with disabilities. Students and recent graduates with disabilities were matched to corporate mentors for a six-month intensive relationship guided and supported by the Institute and the USBLN. Corporate mentors are recruited from USBLN® member companies and are provided with engagement activities to increase disability awareness and access to diverse and highly sought after talent.

Project Activities

College students, recent graduates, and veterans with disabilities were matched to experienced professionals from USBLN® member companies for supportive, one-on-one relationships focused on providing insights into effective job search and career development strategies. The program was designed to be mutually beneficial to both mentees and company mentors for the purposes of learning and networking that can lead to positive employment and professional development outcomes. Through ongoing interaction with mentors, mentees have a unique opportunity to engage in activities that impact their future employment prospects.

Activities were designed to support career exploration, understanding of workplace cultures, mock/informational interview opportunities, worksite visits/job shadowing, and professional networking. These interactions also provided employers with opportunities to increase their awareness of barriers and challenges faced by students and veterans with disabilities in securing meaningful employment.

Website

http://www.usbln.org/what-we-do/rising-leaders-mentoring-program/

Funding Agencies

Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation and the Walmart Foundation

Principal Investigator

Collaborating Partners

United States Business Leadership Network (USBLN®)