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NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ -
Austin, TX, United States, 2010/04/20 - Texas's first city-wide mentoring program gears up for the upcoming fall semester by making their program bigger, better and bolder - AustinYC.org.
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With a successful inaugural semester wrapping up later this month, Apprentice Austin, the state’s first city-wide mentoring program run by the Austin Young Chamber of Commerce, is gearing up for a bigger, better and bolder fall semester.
To help develop tomorrow’s young professionals, Apprentice Austin pairs top college students with mentors in their area of career interest who guide them in career development and networking. This May, Apprentice Austin will choose up to 20 students from area colleges for the four month, eight session mentoring opportunity beginning in August. In addition to attending events and mentoring sessions, apprentices and mentors will focus on a semester-long challenge agreed by both, which can be anything from finding a calling to getting a first job after graduation.
”We have been so pleased with the response from both the business and college communities in Austin,” says Nathan Green, co-founder of the Austin Young Chamber, and Board Member responsible for the program. “The program almost runs itself since the students are so competent and the mentors so passionate about sharing their experiences and trade.”
The inaugural spring semester matched 15 students with mentors, and the industries ranged from pharmaceutical sales to ministry. As the graduation ceremony approaches, apprentices, mentors, and partnering schools are already giving positive feedback about the program.
“St. Edward’s University was very proud to participate in the Austin Young Chamber’s Apprentice Austin inaugural mentoring program,” said Barbara Henderson, Career Planning Director at St. Edward’s University. “The students were able to make connections through networking and get hands on experience in their related fields of interest. This type of program will prove to be invaluable for the future successes of our students as they begin their careers in the Austin community.”
David Saams, an apprentice in the program and a student at Concordia University, echos Henderson’s praise by saying his mentor helped him focus on a career path and challenged him to become proactive in his job search and career goals.
“I am forever grateful to the AYC for providing me with this amazing opportunity to learn from and interact with business leaders in Austin,” said Saams. “Most importantly, I believe Apprentice Austin is not just a semester long program, but an opportunity to catapult motivated students into their career path and provide a lifelong mentor and friend.”
Applications for the Fall 2010 semester are due by April 23. Apprentice selections will be made in May, and program activities begin in August and end with a graduation ceremony in December.
About Apprentice Austin
As the state’s first city-wide mentoring program, Apprentice Austin’s mission is to develop tomorrow’s young professionals and keep top student talent in Austin.
About The Austin Young Chamber of Commerce
The Austin Young Chamber of Commerce (austinyc.org) seeks to develop and connect young professionals in Austin to create business, community and individual success.
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anita[.]austinyoungchamber.org 
