According to a study by Cornell University, mentorship continues to be more effective than any other diversity initiative in expanding economic opportunities for underrepresented groups and improving the retention rates for women and people of color. Indeed, mentorship programs are a sound tool to meaningfully advance DEI strategies.
At Genesys Works, we’ve seen first-hand the impact mentorship has on the young people we serve, and the unique value young professionals bring to companies.
Take our young professional Joseph Salih, for example. Joseph joined Genesys Works as a junior in high school. After completing our intensive eight-week summer training program in business technology, Joseph earned an internship at Accenture, one of the world’s leading professional services companies. At just 17-years-old, when most high school seniors are determining the next steps after graduation, Joseph was launching his career in technology.
At Accenture, Joseph was a critical member of the organization’s tech support team, facilitating requests for IT support from staff with hardware and software issues. The internship also offered Joseph the opportunity to join a network of specialists who possessed the industry knowledge and experience to guide him in his career journey.
“Through my internship, I connected to a trusted group of professionals with different perspectives who were extremely qualified, had a wealth of knowledge and qualifications, and encouraged me to pursue multiple tech certifications.”
After Joseph completed his first internship at Accenture, the company offered to
extend it through his college graduation, and as his skills grew, so did his responsibilities. In May, Joseph graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Operations Management. A few months later, Accenture offered him a full-time role as an IT Support Analyst responsible for managing the organization’s technology solutions bar.
Joseph’s mentors, including a fellow Genesys Works alumni, Joseph’s internship supervisor, and several members of his functional team at Accenture, have been pivotal to Joseph’s success. They offered Joseph accountability, supported him in improving his hard and soft skills, and encouraged him to acquire the credentials needed to accelerate his career in tech.
“The support I received from my mentors combined with the experience I received at Accenture facilitated my growth, built my confidence, and gave me a clear path for achieving my career goals,” said Joseph.
As the nation celebrates National Mentoring Month, we encourage you to partner with us to ensure all young people, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status have access to career pathways that lead to sustained economic mobility.
Learn more about how your company can partner with us to develop meaningful mentorship programs that advance your DEI goals and offer opportunities to young people in your communities.
