Why Educating Young Professionals is a CEO’s Responsibility

Starting out in any business is tough. It’s even tougher when you don’t have connections or mentors from which to learn. Jenna Oltersdorf, founder, and CEO of Snackbox PR, is passionate about properly educating students and taking young professionals under her wing. She believes it is the responsibility of the CEO to educate aspiring professionals to get them ready for the workforce.

College classes can certainly prepare students, but an internship or apprenticeship provides an exceptional way to learn and develop professional skills like participating in business meetings, working through office politics and learning about time management in the real world. These temporary positions allow interns to learn along the way and develop valuable skills from real world experience.

“Not only are you preparing the next generation of your industry’s people, but you’re also giving those who are just starting out in their career the tools they need to succeed in your line of work. As a CEO, you have the power to improve your industry by simply giving back,” Jenna explained.

Jenna has created a proprietary structured program at Snackbox that gives apprentices hands-on experience and opportunity to learn the daily operations of what a public relations (PR) professional does. The program teaches students and recent graduates interviewing skills, how to work as a team, how to build relationships with clients, building rapport with reporters and how to learn as much as possible while given the opportunity (spoiler alert: the key is to always ask questions!) Some of the skills learned can be utilized while networking and in various professional settings, not just PR.

“Experience is your biggest asset when job hunting as a new graduate. It’s what sets you apart from other applicants, not only the places at which you’ve held internships but also the special skills you’ve picked up along the way,” Jenna said. “But it’s not all about the work…it’s important to check in with your apprentices, to give them time with senior leadership, to cultivate their interests and mentor them on to success.”

By taking on the responsibility of educating young professionals, CEOs allow them to fully immerse themselves in a program for a fixed period of time.

“By mentoring, you are not only giving your time to help someone launch their career, but you’re also creating a champion of your own brand, no matter if they are with you for a short semester or if they will be with your company until retirement,” Jenna said.

About Jenna Oltersdorf

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Based in Austin, Texas and specializing in consumer public relations, Jenna Oltersdorf has reimagined PR through the creation of her firm, Snackbox. Having worked with major national and international brands throughout her career, she has been responsible for a variety of ground-breaking campaigns. Jenna has also been recognized for excellence in her career through nominations for Austin Under 40 and the Austin Business Journal’s Best CEO awards. For more information about Jenna’s work and Snackbox, visit www.snackbox.us.

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Advancing Women

Advancing Women