“I know that if I want to get somewhere in life I have to learn from those that are already living the success [story]…That is why I am [here], because I believe that in the long run, this will benefit me more than the dishwasher job that I turned down to be part of [this program].”

This was the motivation for Xavier Corena to join Ready, Set, Connect!, a youth professional program in the San Francisco Bay Area. The program, which provides high school and college youth from disadvantaged neighborhoods with essential professional and leadership skills, is one of several managed by the Community Technology Network (CTN).

Over the last month, Bluewolf Pack members volunteered to create and lead two mentorship workshops for Ready, Set, Connect! participants. The sessions focused on key professional skills: delivering elevator pitches, sharpening interview skills, and building a personal brand. 

The impact? All youths received one-on-one mentorship, gained valuable career advice, and made connections with professionals across multiple departments. In return, the Bluewolf team gained the opportunity to work with the local community and potential recruits.

Cautious at the beginning of the session, participant Jessica Gonzalez grew in confidence after an hour of resume workshopping and polishing her delivery. Navigating the professional world can be challenging for a young person, particularly for those with limited resources. Ready, Set, Connect! offers the opportunity for youths to bolster their skills while forging connections within local professional communities.

“Innovation through change” is a Bluewolf mantra, and between volunteering at local food banks to cycling for Multiple Sclerosis, we enjoy doing our part to affect change in local communities. It was an honor to participate in the Ready, Set, Connect! program and Bluewolf looks forward to a long partnership ahead.

Check out a few photos from the session, and stay tuned for more corporate social responsibility action from Bluewolf in the near future.