Apex for Youth’s Career Connections Program helps alumni bridge the gap from college to career with mentorship, industry panels, and networking opportunities.
By Ashley Ye | April 2, 2025
Career Connections has been a long-standing vision within Apex for Youth. It stemmed from years of feedback from alumni who expressed a need for guidance beyond college. Many of our students shared feelings of being “late to the game” when it came to career readiness. They often compared themselves to peers who had extensive internship experience or industry knowledge, and they felt unprepared for the job market. Some sought help securing their first job, while others simply wanted to understand how to navigate professional environments and advocate for themselves in the workplace.
“Part of the Apex secret sauce is that one on one, student centered support, whether it’s a supervisor and an intern in the internship program, or the mentoring program, or college application support in the CAP program. I think the thing that Apex does really well is that it creates opportunities for adult role models to support young people in their development.”
–Assumpta Galang, Associate Director of College and Career Success
For many young adults, the transition from college to the workforce can be daunting. From understanding industry expectations to building a professional network, navigating this phase often feels overwhelming—especially for first-generation college students or those without access to established networks.
Shown in NACE’s 2016 Student Survey, “more than two-thirds of non-first-generation students used this [job-search] resource, but only 55 percent of first-generation students did the same. By definition, their parents do not have a bachelor’s degree, and therefore do not have the same frame of reference for launching a job search. This hampers their ability to serve as effectively as job-search resources and role models.”
To support our alumni through this critical transition, we are thrilled to introduce Career Connections, a new initiative that provides one-on-one mentorship with experienced professionals in their fields of interest, helping them gain guidance, connections, and confidence as they take the next step in their careers.
The Career Connections program will give access to industry-specific panels, resume workshops, networking events, and direct mentorship from Apex’s professional community. Whether students are exploring career paths or actively applying for jobs, this initiative equips them with the skills and connections needed to succeed.
The foundation of Career Connections is built on meaningful, tailored mentorship. Here’s how the program operates:
Matching Alumni with Industry Professionals – Each alumni mentee is paired with a mentor in their field of interest. Whether they’re exploring law, finance, marketing, or another industry, we strive to match them with a professional who can offer insights and guidance.
Customized Career Action Plans – Together, the mentor and mentee co-create an action plan that aligns with the alum’s current career stage, whether they are a first-year college student exploring options, a graduating senior preparing for job applications, or a recent graduate looking to advance in their field.
Industry-Specific Insights – Mentors provide practical knowledge, including how to conduct informational interviews, navigate networking events, and build confidence in professional spaces.
“As a new Computer Science student, I haven’t been exposed to the CS industry. I wanted to learn more about Computer Science, the different jobs within the field, requirements and skills I should improve upon, and more. I also wanted to have a mentor in the field who could help me with any questions I had about CS!”
-Cassie, Career Connection Mentee
“I joined the Career Connection Program to explore my options in engineering. As a student at Drexel, I have to complete 3 co-op internships during my time as an undergraduate student. However, I am unsure as to what industry/job environment suits me the best, so I sought a mentor with experience in the field to help guide me.”
– Shihab, Career Connection Mentee
One of the key differentiators of Career Connections and all Apex programs is the intentionality behind mentor-mentee pairings. When volunteers apply, they go through 30-minute interviews to assess their professional background, communication style, and ability to relate to mentees. Strong matches often come from shared lived experiences, where mentors understand the unique challenges that mentees face. These connections foster trust and ensure that the guidance provided is both relevant and actionable.
Our volunteers are incredibly eager to mentor our alumni, and we take the time to equip them with the tools needed to be effective. From the outset, we set clear expectations about the role of mentorship in Career Connections. We emphasize the importance of:
Regular surveys and feedback loops ensure that both mentors and mentees have the support they need throughout the program.
Success in Career Connections is not a one-size-fits-all outcome. For some alumni, success may mean solidifying their career path and gaining a clearer direction. For others, it might mean realizing that a certain career isn’t the right fit and pivoting early rather than years down the line. Even developing fundamental professional skills—such as networking, conducting informational interviews, or negotiating salaries—can be a significant victory.
We also value intangible measures of success, like helping alumni take their aspirations seriously and trust their instincts when making career decisions. In fact, 73% of young adults have the resources they need to explore career(s) they are interested in because of Apex, giving them the confidence to pursue paths that align with their passions and strengths.
Apex for Youth has always been committed to empowering young people by removing barriers and equipping them with the skills to unlock their potential. Career Connections is another step in that journey, ensuring that our alumni have the tools, confidence, and support they need to thrive in their professional lives.
We encourage our alumni to embrace this unique opportunity, step outside their comfort zones, and make the most of this experience. After all, career development isn’t just about landing a job—it’s about building a fulfilling future, one step at a time.
If you’re an Apex for Youth alumnus interested in joining Career Connections, or a professional eager to become a mentor, we’d love to hear from you! Email us at collegandcareer@apexforyouth.org
Apex for Youth received the Sweetwater Clifton City Spirit Award at the Knicks Lunar New Year game, honoring our work empowering Asian American youth.
On February 5, 2025, Tatcha Global Director of Artistry Daniel Martin and ELLE Beauty Director Kathleen Hou hosted a private dinner to celebrate Lunar New Year at Phoenix Palace in Chinatown, NYC. AAPI founders, executives and allies from the beauty, fashion, media and entertainment industries welcomed the Year of the Snake with family-style Cantonese cuisine in a moody, cinematographic setting.
