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Happy spring!
From my office window, I can see the grass turning a little greener, the sun shining a bit brighter, and flowers just beginning to pop up from the ground.
With all the delightful new growth in this season, I can’t help but reflect on the growth that takes place in ourselves and our careers. While it can be difficult to notice these changes, The DeBruce Foundation’s Agilities help me better see and name my career growth.
For example, I get to hone my Agility of Selling and Communicating as I write these newsletters to you each month; I’ve found that I love using my Organizing Agility as I help plan for The Foundation’s next big initiative; and this season, my role expanded to include Managing!
Joining my team this spring are Strategic Communications Interns, Isiah Humes and Anna VanBrunt. You’ll see their work throughout our social media, community outreach initiatives, and programming to expand career pathways. They’re already flexing their top Agilities–Inspecting, Developing Others, Organizing, and Managing–to round out our team wonderfully.
Today, I encourage you to reflect on your career journey: which skills are blooming? Which need watering? Which might help your team? And, what are you planting next?
Cheers to our growth,
A summer full of professional experience
In partnership with Kauffman Foundation and incredible organizations throughout Kansas City, we’re proud to support ProX!
ProX is Kansas City’s regional hub of paid, professional experiences for high school students. This community collaboration provides students with a summer of real world experiences, career exploration, skill-building, networking, and more.
Recently, 1,200 student applicants were invited to attend the ProX career fair to meet their future employers. We know it’s going to be a great summer! Stay tuned for updates and learn more about ProX.
In celebration of International Women’s Day
What better way to spend International Women’s Day than speaking with and learning alongside leaders committed to advancing women in the workforce?!
Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight was honored to participate in a panel for the Indiana Commission for Women‘s International Women’s Day Event.
As organizer, Rupal Thanawala, said: “I believe that every individual has a power within themselves to help someone else.” Together, we can expand career pathways for women!
Meeting workforce needs with Micro-Internships
The Kansas Micro-Internship Program is growing! This state-wide initiative provides students from public colleges and universities with opportunities to work on short-term, paid, professional projects with Kansas-based organizations.
Recently, the program was awarded a grant from Strada Education Network:
“This program is a great example of how community colleges and local employers, working together, have a unique ability to meet regional workforce needs and boost employment and earnings outcomes for students.” Learn more.
Building engaged leaders and strong networks
Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight was delighted to join the kick off of this year’s class of the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge!
These Missouri leaders are learning about and acting on critical issues in their communities, state, and nation—and building strong networks along the way.
Learn more about the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge by listening to this episode of the Grace & Growth podcast, hosted by Greater MO alum, Addie Yoder.
Increasing access to information
Christopher Laubenthal, Data Design Manager, recently welcomed professionals to The DeBruce Foundation as a part of the Digital Scene KC event series!
The theme of the evening was data visualization and innovative ways to share information with diverse audiences. Exhibitors shared employment dashboards, high school contest results, expert reporting, and more.
Cheers to the many amazing efforts happening in our region to increase access to information! Learn about the organizers of the event, digiSTORY KC and KC Digital Drive.
Celebrating and reflecting on 100k
The DeBruce Career Corps has been celebrating the milestone of the Agile Work Profiler being taken 100,000+ times, and they’ve been reflecting on its impact:
“I have loved exploring the world of Agilities! Discovering my top Agilities has helped me grow and expand within my job, internship, and college courses as I’m more confident in my strengths.” -Imani Im
Join in the celebration and tell us how the Agile Work Profiler has helped YOU.
Empowering the Indiana workforce
This month’s guest blog comes to us from our friends at the Indiana Department of Workforce Development!
In 2022, they partnered with us to embed the Agile Work Profiler into the Indiana Career Explorer, a free career and education planning tool designed to empower the Indiana workforce.
Now, hear from career counselors who are serving job seekers, students, and more. Read their blog.
Celebrating Agilities at FIRST Robotics
Students develop important skills through hands-on, engaging STEM programs.
At a recent FIRST Robotics Regional Competition, team members, coaches, volunteers, and mentors had the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the skills they used throughout the competition!
Austin, an Olathe Northwest High School student, won the Agilities in Action award. He was nominated by his fellow teammate for using his Agilities of Innovating and Operating Objects to help his team bring their best to the competition!
Have you witnessed a student using their Agilities lately? Let them know! Your encouragement and value of their skills can have a lasting impact on their career path.
Join us for a training
Are you looking for career-building resources for your classroom, curriculum, or organization? Join us for an upcoming training!
4/4 Agilities Tour
4/11 Activating Your Agilities
4/12-13 Agility Coach Training
4/25 Agilities Tour
