Laker Accelerated Talent Link successes celebrated as first cohort finishes, moves ahead

A celebration May 23 of the first cohort of Grand Valley students to complete their experience with the Laker Accelerated Talent Link highlighted how the program created success for students and added to the West Michigan talent pipeline.

The gathering at the Consumers Energy John G. Russell Leadership Center brought together Talent Link students and employers as well as others from GVSU and the community to toast the first cohort and look forward to the future.

The Talent Link pairs GVSU students with companies that provide an enhanced internship experience. The program also features opportunities to earn a certificate in an area related to business or technology on top of a degree; scholarship support from the partner employer and, if the program is completed, a good-faith job offer from the employer upon graduation.

While giving remarks, President Philomena V. Mantella asked the inaugural employers to join her at the podium to thank them for providing the initial support and opportunities that were crucial to the Talent Link launching. She also emphasized the wide value of the Talent Link as leaders eye continued growth. 

"We are not doing this just for our students," Mantella said. "We're doing this because Grand Valley sits at the intersection of this community and we're committed to being the talent pipeline that this community needs to continue to grow and to continue to thrive."

Mantella also told students that their talent and successes were key to moving forward. Poster boards on display at the gathering highlighted the students' experiences at the employers, including their objectives, responsibilities and lessons learned. Students also stood next to their posters to talk with visitors.

About three-quarters of the 21 students in this cohort are continuing professionally with their Talent Link placements, Dana Hebreard, Talent Link program specialist, announced at the gathering.

Here are a few of their stories.

Like so many of her fellow graduates this spring, Jenna Duursma's initial experience in college was one of distance because of the COVID-19 pandemic protocols. But she said that time also taught her valuable lessons on how to adapt.

Eventually, Duursma, who earned finance and marketing degrees, started finding her community, particularly within the Seidman Business College.

Then the real needle-moving experience arose when Duursma joined the Laker Accelerated Talent Link, serving as an intern with Acrisure while earning a certificate in the project management route.

And the topper: She joined Acrisure after graduation as a Human Resources associate.

"Acrisure is a fast-paced company and we're growing exceptionally," Duursma said. "The exciting part for me is to be involved with that growth and to see where we can go in the future."

Duursma credited her supervisor while an intern at Acrisure with providing varied opportunities for Duursma to develop skills and start to understand the corporate environment. She said earning her certificate in tandem with the internship – a central aspect of the Talent Link – helped her apply what she was learning to her internship.

The opportunity to work for a prominent West Michigan business was a key attraction of the Talent Link for Duursma, as was being in the Talent Link's first cohort; she said she is glad that she could help provide feedback on the internship to help refine that experience. She said the Talent Link exceeded her expectations.

"The Laker Accelerated Talent Link has been a great way for me to get involved, not only with my peers, but also businesses in the West Michigan area," Duursma said. "So my piece of advice would just be to take a chance."

Working with cross-functional teams at Corewell Health through the Talent Link allowed Samantha Frondoso to more fully see professional possibilities and help her overcome a tendency to worry about change.

Frondoso, an integrative studies major in the LEADS accelerated degree program, worked with Corewell Health while pursuing a project management certificate. And she was recently hired as an associate organizational development specialist.

She said she had always wanted to work in health care, but thought that would involve direct patient care. The Talent Link experience showed her the impact she could make on the lives of patients – and team members – by working behind the scenes in health care.

"Having that work experience and really taking the time to explore other educational and work areas helped me figure out what I want to do," Frondoso said.

The experience at Corewell Health included interactions with multiple teams beyond her base in Human Resources as well as opportunities to facilitate meetings. She said she particularly learned more about collaboration and along the way gained more confidence in such areas as expressing thoughts during meetings.

Frondoso is grateful for the regular feedback she received from Corewell Health leaders. And she is grateful for how the Talent Link expanded her horizons.

"As someone who was truly scared to pursue beyond what I knew, I say the first step is definitely asking questions and putting yourself out there," Frondoso said. "Taking that initial step to learn from others and also do a lot of self reflection helped me get where I am today and feel more confident in what I wanted to pursue."

Ethan Wagner said studying psychology and writing at GVSU honed communication skills that served him well during his Talent Link internship at Amway, where he has accepted a role as a contract scrum master, a position that requires extensive communication with teams as projects move along.

Wagner said he was able to use those capabilities refined at GVSU to serve as a liaison for his team when other teams had questions on a project. He said he used a servant leadership approach while also keeping in mind project management principles to keep everyone on the same page.

"I really enjoyed the process of negotiating with people and finding out what works best for them and the way they work, because then we're probably going to get a better product overall," said Wagner, who added that the Talent Link was "one of the best opportunities I have ever had."

The Talent Link opened an opportunity in a business environment for Wagner, something he said he initially didn't think was qualified to do. But he quickly learned that he could grow into the role.

That opportunity was also a revelation for Wagner because he had interest in the business world for a career, but he was not sure his fields of study would allow that path.

He said his experience shows that the Talent Link is worth exploring.

"I think overall this experience and being able to jump into a totally different context and bring my own unique view has been very fulfilling," Wagner said. "It's one of those things where I came out of my shell and tried it and I think it's really paid off for me."