Episode: 335

Episode Title: Mentoring Minorities

Does mentorship really matter? For Hispanic youth and other young people of color, it can make all the difference. Stay tuned for more, next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 335 show:

Hello and welcome to The Perna Syndicate! To stay competitive in a changing world, companies must diversify their talent pipelines. By 2030, Hispanic youth and other young people of color will make up more than half the nation’s labor force. They’re a big piece of the future. 

For these young people to thrive, they need intentional investment at both the organizational and individual levels. The nonprofit First Workings is one program that helps high schoolers from underrepresented or underserved communities in New York City to achieve upward mobility—both social and economic. 

First Workings partners with companies to connect these students with meaningful mentorship opportunities, paid internships and professional development training. The goal is to help these young people develop social capital and overcome the cultural barriers that can inhibit career mobility.

This type of mentorship is a win for everyone. Students are exposed to new industries, corporations and people to build a network of connections. On the other end, companies who offer these opportunities increase their pipelines of diverse talent.

With a fast-growing Hispanic population in the U.S., organizations would be well advised to adopt similar internship and mentorship models. Of course, it’s the ethical and equitable thing to do. And, it’s also a powerful strategy to create a robust talent pipeline—both now and into the future.

Thanks for being part of The Perna Syndicate this week! We’ll see you back here next week for more on the evolving workplace, younger generations, and personal strategies for success. See you then…take care!