Several students stand onstage in red graduation robes

Believe in Syracuse to launch mentorship program to connect students and local professionals

The mentorship program will connect Say Yes Syracuse college students with local professionals in an effort to retain talent in Central New York.

Ahmeed Turner, executive director of Say Yes Syracuse, noticed a disconnect between local employers and recent college graduates.

“How can young people say there’s no opportunity, but businesses say they’re looking for talent?” said Turner, sergeant of arms at Believe in Syracuse. “There’s something that’s not connecting and we wanted to find a way to fix it.”

Turner and Believe in Syracuse (BIS) designed the Greater Syracuse Career Mentoring Program to create meaningful mentor relationships between Say Yes Syracuse (Say Yes) scholars and college-educated professionals.

The one-to-one mentorship program is designed to support students as they transition from college to career and help retain talent in Central New York. We provided Believe in Syracuse with a grant from our Collective Impact Initiative Fund to launch the program this fall with nearly 30 Say Yes scholars and mentors.

Turner said by connecting Say Yes scholars with local, college-educated professionals, the program will increase educational opportunities for students, boost graduation rates and create connections that will help launch careers.

“When you know someone, you’re more likely to get a job than if you don’t know anyone,” Turner said. “We want to create a vehicle for students to find meaningful employment here in Syracuse and ultimately help our local community by retaining talent and strengthening our economy.”

Ahmeed Turner sits behind a desk in a plaid suit, pink shirt, and tie
Ahmeed Turner hopes the Greater Syracuse Career Mentorship will help retain talent in Central New York.

Turner hopes the program will help level the playing field for first-generation college students, who might not have the familial connections in industries they want to work in. BIS put out a call for volunteers this spring, and received a strong response with close to 100 professionals showing interest in becoming a mentor. This fall BIS is partnering with the Hillside Work-Scholarship to help with student recruitment.

Mentors and students will be matched based on a survey of their personal interests, backgrounds and professional goals. There will be at least two in-person events, sponsored by BIS, to connect students and their mentors.

Additionally, through a digital platform, mentors and mentees will be able to schedule meetings with one another, and communicate easily. BIS can also track interactions and collect data to ensure future success and to make sure each student is receiving support.

Turner said he hopes that local college graduates will more easily find meaningful employment in the region, and that the local business leaders in tech, medicine, and engineering will find what they’re looking for right here in Syracuse.

“Our hope is that employers and companies will see our mentees as a viable option to fulfill their needs right before they go elsewhere,” Turner said. “I know there’s enough talent in Syracuse to fulfill everybody’s needs.”

Related Stories

News Releases May 24, 2023

2021-2022 Say Yes Syracuse Report Card Released

To learn more about the impact Say Yes Syracuse is having on SCSD students, view ...

News Releases April 10, 2023

Say Yes Syracuse and OCC Team Up to Help Students with College Housing Costs

A new agreement between Say Yes Syracuse and Onondaga Community College will help Syracuse City ...

Blogs April 8, 2023

Reflections: Helping Organizations Enhance DEI

Colby Cyrus explains how a new grant opportunity was designed to help organizations enhance diversity, ...

Blogs March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

News Releases March 7, 2023

Now Accepting Applications for the Frederick K. Kilian Memorial Scholarship

Two scholarships of $3,050 will be awarded and may be renewable annually for up to ...

Headshot of Rhoda Sikes along with a photo of Onondaga Lake
Blogs February 21, 2023

A Lifetime Commitment to the Community: Rhoda Sikes

Even well after her tenure ended at Heman Street Elementary School, Rhoda Sike's passion for ...

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

Blogs December 7, 2022

Reflections: Bringing Residents to the Table

Qiana Williams, program officer, shows us how participatory budgeting is helping residents form solutions to ...

News Releases May 24, 2023

2021-2022 Say Yes Syracuse Report Card Released

To learn more about the impact Say Yes Syracuse is having on SCSD students, view ...

News Releases April 10, 2023

Say Yes Syracuse and OCC Team Up to Help Students with College Housing Costs

A new agreement between Say Yes Syracuse and Onondaga Community College will help Syracuse City ...

Blogs April 8, 2023

Reflections: Helping Organizations Enhance DEI

Colby Cyrus explains how a new grant opportunity was designed to help organizations enhance diversity, ...

Blogs March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

News Releases March 7, 2023

Now Accepting Applications for the Frederick K. Kilian Memorial Scholarship

Two scholarships of $3,050 will be awarded and may be renewable annually for up to ...

Headshot of Rhoda Sikes along with a photo of Onondaga Lake
Blogs February 21, 2023

A Lifetime Commitment to the Community: Rhoda Sikes

Even well after her tenure ended at Heman Street Elementary School, Rhoda Sike's passion for ...

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

Blogs December 7, 2022

Reflections: Bringing Residents to the Table

Qiana Williams, program officer, shows us how participatory budgeting is helping residents form solutions to ...

View More