Bridging the Gap from College to Career: The Career Opportunities Initiative

August 9, 2024

The Career Opportunities Initiative is a masterpiece. We could not have done this career development mentoring practice without MentorPRO.

Tommy Walls
Director, Alumni Relations and Career Opportunities
Council for Opportunity in Education

COE: Career Opportunities Initiative, Tommy Walls from CEBM on Vimeo.

In 2023, the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE), a nonprofit committed to supporting low-income students, first-generation students, and students with disabilities, partnered with MentorPRO to launch the Career Opportunities Initiative (COI). The goal was to bridge the gap between college and career. This initiative addresses the new workforce CPP by providing self-paced job skills training and helping students secure internships leading to full-time employment. Through partnerships with public and private employers, the initiative offers pathways to competitive careers.

Initial Results

COI has connected hundreds of TRIO students across 30+ colleges and universities to career mentors.
Over 90% of students report that they:

Were satisfied with their mentors.
Would recommend COI.
Felt more confident about being a successful student.