Creating Brighter Futures Through Connection

"In a world of algorithms, hashtags, and followers, know the true importance of human connection."

If I could go back and tell my younger self anything (16-year-old bright-eyed me), I would say, "Lisa, you are going to meet people everywhere: at the gas station, grocery store, work and in the committees and groups you volunteer with. THESE are the people who will cheer you on, connect you to future employers and most importantly, teach you what you need to know to succeed in the world. Don’t skip the connection part of life — it's pure gold. You never know who might give you a boost or create an opportunity."

This information might go right over a 16-year-old's head, but what if it didn't? What if it stuck and that 16-year-old landed an internship, met their future boss, made a new connection who knows more connections, or even developed a friendship?

Students Empowered Thanks to Career Ready Collective Program

That’s exactly what happened in late June at the Career Ready Collective. This career development program is designed to empower students with professional skills and real-world connections to help prepare them for a future career. The networking portion of the program was curated to bridge the gap between high school students and the community by fostering meaningful interactions and networking opportunities.

The day brought the community to the students, both figuratively and literally! Community members from 20 different industries — including agriculture, financial services, fitness, healthcare, higher education, talent management and government, to name a few — gave their time and talents to an afternoon of speed networking.

The students from across Greater Des Moines (DSM) had a mixture of aspirations and careers in mind: accounting, finance, business management, software engineering, interior design and entrepreneurship, to name a few.

The result? A resounding success!

As students moved around the room, chatting with each community member (7 minutes per person), the noise and energy in the room grew. One community member shared, "It's just as important to find out what you want to do as it is to find out what you do not want to do. Start checking things off your list, and dive into the things that light you up. You have a lifetime to experiment and learn."

One student shared that they had recently started a business with a relative and began doing some marketing for it. They were shocked to realize they could combine their passions and create something unique.

The number of ideas, wisdom and aspirations that were swapped was truly incredible, and as one student put it on their end-of-day evaluation, "Thanks for this day. Find a way to make the Ripple Effect Networking Event longer!"

The Career Ready Collective Networking Session showcased the magic that happens when the community, human connection and our youth come together. It's a reminder that in our digital age, the power of face-to-face interactions can never be underestimated. Whether you're 16 or 60, embracing connections might just be the key to unlocking a brighter future!

More information on past programming for the Career Ready Collective can be found on the Greater Des Moines Partnership website.

Job opportunities and career resources are abundant in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Whether you're looking to find an internship, a job, develop professionally or grow as a student, we have the resources to help you thrive.