Our mission of closing the opportunity gap and eliminating the cycle of poverty, particularly as it manifests racially, doesn’t stop at getting our students into college. We stay in close communication with alumni through college and into their careers, stretching that Yleana support system as wide as we can.

For students from under-resourced backgrounds, choosing a career path, applying for jobs, and succeeding in the workplace can be massive hurdles; Yleana’s Career Mentors help our alumni overcome these. In the ultra-personal Yleana style, mentors from around the country and in all industries are matched with one student or young professional interested in a similar career path. They provide that individualized support that can so often change the trajectory of someone’s life by building connections, demystifying complex facets of the professional world, and providing guidance every step of the way towards a fulfilling career.

Mentor/mentee pairs can either meet in person or virtually and are encouraged to meet as a pair at least once a month, guided by a comprehensive curriculum including:

• Career ideation

• Building a resume

• Interviewing skills

• Looking for and applying for jobs

• Networking skills

• Weighing different job offers

• Negotiating your offer

• Crafting a LinkedIn profile

• Sending cold emails

• Shaping a career story

• Writing a cover letter

• Navigating the workplace culture and expectations

• How to succeed/develop relationships in the workplace