Professional Experience Developing Leaders (PEDL)
* Mentoring * Community Connections * Special Programing * To Apply *
The PEDL Program offers students in the South Metro Denver area the opportunity to enhance their educational experience with practical business experience. PEDL is an acronym for “Professional Experience Developing Leaders” and we seek to augment students’ academic experience by connecting them with real world opportunities in the business community. The PEDL Program at the South Metro Chamber is different because of its emphasis on mentoring and developing conncections within the business community.
Mentoring:
For Students: At its core, the PEDL Program concerns itself with providing students a chance to become leaders in their fields, through internships mentoring that encourages them to reach for opportunities that are around them in the business community. We believe developing this sense of initiative is at the foundation of true leadership. PEDL works to connect interns with business leaders who will help them develop their skills and passions in the context of the work environment. We will make every effort to match a student’s interests and aptitude with an appropriate business/opportunity. We expect these internships to be valuable both to the student (who will learn about working in their field of study) and for the employer/mentor to have additional help with projects and programs where they may need labor resources. It is a win-win from the perspective of both sides if expectations are clearly set, interns and opportunities are well matched and the relationship is monitored for success.
For Businesses: By acting as a student’s mentor/contact, the business community can play a more active role in preparing the Denver Metro area’s finest students for facing the challenges in today's professional marketplace. We want our students not only to gain practical work experience, but also to be inspired and to learn valuable life-long lessons that will help them later in their careers and in life. Through guidance by strong mentors, students will achieve a higher level of understanding of the business world and the community surrounding them. Preparing people for professional success is one way to “give back” to the business community.
Also, we will match students and their interests to the mentors/companies so that as a business person, you will recognize the benefit of having help with projects and tasks that will be instructive to the student and save you time and resources as well. The PEDL program wants to ensure a good “match” between students and businesses so that we can manage expectations and set goals on both sides.
Community Connections:
For Students: The PEDL program is unique in the way we have sought key education partners to help us bring the right mix of student leaders to the business community. Through the S. Metro Chamber, PEDL has inroads to top companies and political leaders in Colorado. From accounting to engineering, there are always a variety of businesses searching for talented students to work for them. Some businesses we partner with for internships include Merrill Lynch, United Launch Alliance, and CORE (Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy) as well as the hospitality industry and more.
For Businesses: Every year, students from area high schools, colleges and universities apply for our program. We have pulled together a strategic consortium of education leadership to support PEDL. We work with Colorado Technical University, Colorado State University, Metro University of Denver, Arapahoe Community College and the Littleton Public School District. This reflects the full spectrum of types of education providers and allows PEDL to be highly selective in accepting interns. This is a competitive program with limited spots available in this inaugural year.
Through the hard work and devotion of key champions at each of the school’s career and guidance centers, we work together to identify the right student for the job and to make sure the hiring company’s needs are met. Internships do require some work on the part of the hiring company. There is a responsibility to the Interns to let them know what you are able to do for them and what the limitations are. If your needs are better suited for a high school student, we have applicants from all the major high schools in the South Metro region as well. With access to talented students across the state, there are dozens of students who fit the mold for what our participating businesses are searching for, no matter what industry. All we ask of the employers is that they be thoughtful in the work they assign these interns. Certainly not all work is glamorous, but please keep in mind that we hope these students will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful work that will give them true insight into the career paths they are considering.Special Programming:
For Students: The PEDL Program has additional activities for placed interns that will give them a chance to meet top executives in the area. From fun events like bowling nights, to private meetings with business leaders, the PEDL Program gives students a chance to be more involved in the business community. This can mean meeting the Governor, lending a helping hand on a cool project, or going to a meeting with the CEO of a top company. Because of the rich network of business and political leaders engaged with the South Metro Chamber, there are endless ways in which motivated student interns can leverage this opportunity.
For Businesses: Business professionals conduct mock interviews to help the students gain confidence and experience. Students can also attend a resume building workshop to make sure that they are highlighting their assets and putting together a professional product. Additionally, students are instructed about how to network and promote themselves. The ultimate goal is to provide businesses with students who are ready to hit the ground running.
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"Having interned with the South Metro Denver Chamber Of Commerce was a great experience, both personally and professionally. Coming from France, I learned so much about US companies and how a Chamber works. This internship allowed me to establish professional relationships that I can call upon in my future careers, to improve my English language skills in a professional work environment, to gain knowledge and learn valuable techniques. I feel I worked with one of the best and most respected organizations in the world. I hope to easily find a business position in France thanks to this internship."Formerly called The Student Leadership Program, the Chamber’s internship program is now in its fourth year of existence. It has already started a new trend in Colorado that is redefining the common notion of an internship.
As we accelerate our progress in 2011 by brining these dynamic learning institutions together, we want to continue by inspiring students and providing them with valuable insights into professional areas. Furthermore, through program efforts, we are working to keep the Denver area as talented and vibrant as ever. Companies and students from across the state are looking to the PEDL Program as the best mechanism for connecting talented students to amazing companies. With continued support from the business and education community, PEDL is revolutionizing the value of internships and student leadership in Colorado.
Student Application for the PEDL Program
Business Application for the PEDL Program
More Information:
More information for businesses
More information for students
Contact Kim DeCoste at KDeCoste@ColoradoTech.edu or call 303-362-2924 or 303-795-0142 for more information.
