Driving Forward alumni spotlight: Destiny Howell, part of the 2024 Driving Forward cohort. Destiny graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelor's in Physics and is pursuing her Doctorate in Physics at the University of Texas, San Antonio. "After completing Driving Forward, I had several opportunities to reflect on what I learned, and I’ve found that the program's lessons continue to benefit me. One key takeaway was the power of effective communication. I recalled this lesson vividly when I had to present a complex idea to a group of stakeholders. By applying the communication techniques I practiced during the program, I was able to convey my ideas clearly and confidently, which ultimately led to a successful outcome. The project also required me to critically assess various AI tools and features, understanding their strengths and limitations in incident management. The fast-evolving nature of AI meant that I had to stay updated with the latest developments and adapt our recommendations accordingly. This experience taught me the value of continuous learning and being adaptable in the face of rapidly changing technology landscapes." "I want to express my gratitude to Driving Forward for preparing me so well for the upcoming opportunities I am looking forward to. The skills, insights, and experiences I gained have equipped me to pursue these opportunities with confidence and enthusiasm. Thank you for the invaluable experience, Driving Forward."
Driving Forward
Non-profit Organizations
Chicago, IL 3,890 followers
Professional Development, Mentorship Opportunities, and Business-Focused Internships for college students
About us
At Driving Forward, we believe that every college student should have an equal opportunity to achieve their career objectives and create a better future for themselves and their communities. We strive to achieve this vision by empowering first-generation and under-resourced college students to successfully transition from college to a meaningful career through a supportive professional development, mentorship, and experiential learning community. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit with an award-winning flagship internship program that provides professional development, mentorship opportunities, and a business-focused curriculum. The program is offered through partnerships with a range of organizations and hundreds of dedicated, professional and executive volunteers. Our focus is bringing together diverse, high-achieving students, helping them to overcome financial or other challenges to achieve their career dreams. Graduates of the Driving Forward flagship program will have access to exclusive recruitment opportunities offered by our generous corporate sponsors and partners.
- Website
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https://drivingforward.org
External link for Driving Forward
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Chicago, IL
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2020
- Specialties
- Education, Coaching, Intern Experience, Career, Internship, Professional Development, Mentoring, and Business Case Competition
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
Chicago, IL, US
Employees at Driving Forward
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Susan Ben
Executive focused on helping non profit/mission driven organizations leverage technology
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Marvin Richardson
Board Member, Business Leader, Entrepreneur, Technologist, Investor
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Kate Neal
Human Resources & Career Development leader | Talent Strategist | Well-being enthusiast
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Rohit Singh
"Voluble Systems LLC: Where innovation meets dedication. Elevating experiences, exceeding expectations."
Updates
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This the difference we are making at Driving Forward!! Join us as a Corporate Sponsor, a Project Volunteer, or Benefactor and help us empower the next generation of talent
University co-op programs need to be accessible For sure, co-op offerings provide college students with applied skills and experiences But some colleges are ratcheting up tuition and expanding applicant recruiting to support co-ops College applicants who will benefit the most from these programs They are the least likely to be accepted to these colleges We need to make these opportunities more accessible Accessible for students with abilities and drive, but without financial and social capital Work with me and Driving Forward to make this happen! + Corporate Sponsors + Project Volunteers + Marketing & Finance support DM and let’s talk!! https://lnkd.in/grjA2rwZ #ScottTips Driving Forward
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One of the great parts of Driving Forward is the access that are students and alumni have for interview coaching with our awesome Mentors!
Why do interviewers ask you to "Walk me through your resume"? It is ironic It is not a leisurely five-minute summary of everything on the resume They are you asking for a 60 second sprint through the highlights They want your take on the highlights that stand out about you Here is a four-part sequence to answer "Walk me through your resume" 1. Start with two sentences on your current status One where you currently study or work One on the type of work you are pursuing 2. Two sentences on a most recent role What you did What you enjoyed or were most proud 3. Two sentences on a favorite non-work role like a club, non-profit, or other volunteer role Describe the organization Describe your role 4. Finish with one to two sentences from your Skills & Interests section at the bottom This finish rounds out your summary nicely with a hobby or interest If the interviewer is interested in more, they will ask So keep that walk short It will serve as a smooth start to the interview #ScottTips Driving Forward
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Driving Forward offers a variety of professional development workshops for organizations supporting high school and college students to explore careers. We support like-minded organizations with sessions including resumes, networking, interviewing, consulting, and entrepreneurship to name just a few!
Thank you to a great group of The University of Chicago Booth School of Business Executive MBAs! It was great getting to know these students through teaching Building the New Venture last week. I appreciated everyone's willingness to jump into discussions, pitch their startup ideas, and challenge one another. Thank you to these individuals for your advice on teaching in the week-long format to these seasoned professionals: Waverly Deutsch Melissa Harris Michael Alter Lucy Marquardt And a big shout out to my TA, Kate Turvy, for bringing her Booth MBA and Polsky Center at the University of Chicago expertise to the class. #ScottTips Driving Forward
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We pave the way for Driving Forward interns to apply one of the most productive tools to building your career. Our interns have access to leaders, mentors, coaches and Driving Forward alumni to rapidly build their social capital.
Your resume is like your savings account The more you put into it, the less productive it is Spending hours tweaking keywords and phrases to optimize for the employer's ATS That's like monitoring primary savings account interest rates between your local banks Do not get me wrong = you need a strong resume you need a three to six-month cushion in your savings account But neither get you an outsized return Stop with the resume optimization games Switch to networking with industry professionals Similar to putting your hard-earned money into asset classes with a higher return Leave the strategies on resume bot battles to others Invest your job search time with people #ScottTips Driving Forward
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Driving Forward Alumni Spotlight: 2020 alumnus and current Driving Forward volunteer, Ryan Jennings. We appreciate your thoughtful reflections and support for our next cohort of students!! "The Driving Forward program provided an excellent platform for my growth as a college student entering the professional world. Each week, Driving Forward offered new opportunities to collaborate with business professionals and like-minded college students on a case study project, and throughout the process provided constructive feedback that allowed me to grow my confidence in a professional setting. The flagship internship program provided me with knowledge, experience, and mentorship critical to the beginning of my professional career. The diversity of experiences my mentors and coaches brought to the Driving Forward program supported me as I formed my career goals. The weekly panels from industry professionals provided me with valuable guidance and wisdom about several aspects of my career journey - whether that was tips for interviewing, pointers on resume writing, or suggestions for building relationships at your company, I gained valuable insight into the professional world that I still apply every day! My Driving Forward mentor was very supportive of my career goals, and gave me weekly tips and feedback as I worked on the case study project alongside my teammates. 4 years after my experience as an intern with Driving Forward, I remain grateful for the support and career insight that the organization provided me, and still apply what I learned during the program each day."
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For Driving Forward alumni, now is a great time to thank your mentors and coaches!
Another way to wrap up your internship strong and propel you forward Send thank you notes to people who helped you get there Think of at least four people who helped you on your journey + Classmate who shared insights about the industry or company + Career office advisor who helped clean up your resume + Mentor who supported you in navigating how and why to network + Alumni who gave you day-in-the-life work scenarios These individuals were part of your journey to the internship Now is a great time to let them know their impact and your gratitude #ScottTips Driving Forward
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Thank you notes exemplify the soft skills development Driving Forward emphasizes in supporting our interns with training and mentorship.
A strong finish to your internship includes a lot of "thank you's" Handwritten thank-you notes are the best Include specifics about that person in your thank-you note like + The impact they had on you + What you learned from them + What you appreciate about them Bonus tip: Make a list of everyone you sent thank-you notes Follow up with them about your next role whether it is with their company or not Your messages will signal your professionalism and thoughtfulness And the recipients will appreciate your kind words #ScottTips Driving Forward
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Driving Forward Alumni Spotlight: Today we are celebrating Sana Anjum, a proud graduate of the University of Houston. " Hi everyone I am an Alumna for Driving Forward, graduating with a degree in management, which is a significant milestone, especially when the journey was filled with personal challenges and uncertainties about what path is right for you. Through the ups and downs, I found the strength to navigate my path and make crucial decisions about my future. It's a honor and blessing to have come this far, alongside with the traits that will undoubtedly fuel many more accomplishments in the years ahead. This graduation is not an end but a launching point for exciting career opportunities that I eagerly look forward to. A key contributor to my success has been Driving Forward, a team that has provided invaluable support since I began as an intern. Their mentorship and guidance have been instrumental in shaping my journey, and I couldn't have asked for a better ally in this pivotal phase of my life! " Congratulations Sana!
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This year's National Interns Day (July 25, 2024) is a great reminder of the contributions interns deliver. Intern impact includes: + Get up to speed quickly to make an impact in 8 to 10 weeks + Work on needs that businesses have but do not have capacity to address + Bring a fresh perspective, unencumbered by "that's how we do things here" + Being digital natives, they bring in the latest tech tools and media channels insights Are you a college student interested in a winter 2025 paid internship to build your skills and network? Learn more about www.drivingforward.org
Driving Forward
drivingforward.org