Disability:IN NextGen Leaders are college students and recent graduates with disabilities. Students are matched one-on-one with mentors from Disability:IN Corporate Partners across all industries like Google, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Boeing, and Pfizer.
POC, women, veterans, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
Check out over 400 corporate partners here.
NextGen Leader Opportunities:
- Network with Fortune 1000 companies and gain valuable insights into their selection process
- Participate in monthly webinars focused on a variety of topics including disability disclosure, accommodations, and interviewing
- Connect virtually with your corporate mentor twice a month for 6 months
- Apply to attend our annual Disability:IN conference, July 8th–13th, 2023 in Orlando, FL.
Become a Mentor
Mentor a college student with a disability as they navigate the transition from college to the workforce. Business professionals in the STEM, finance, and business fields are highly encouraged to apply. Gain access to a wide array of talent that increases the recruitment and hiring of people with disabilities.
Corporate Partner opportunities:
- Establish inclusive employer brands by participating in the NextGen Leader Initiatives.
- Build relationships and learn best practices with NextGen Leaders through mentoring.
- Source talent through the resume database of current NextGen Leaders and alumni.
- Network and interview NextGen Leaders during activities like Matchmaking Sessions at the Disability:IN Annual Conference.
Are you IN?
Submit a Mentor application beginning November 1, 2023. To learn more about getting your company involved, contact Shannon Maher. Mentors will be selected based on their match to their NextGen Leader.
- How long is the NextGen Leader Initiatives?
- The NextGen Leader Initiatives is a 6-month program and will run from March – September 2023.
- What is the expected time commitment for mentors?
- The estimated time commitment is about 3 hours per month, which includes mentorship and webinar participation.
- Can I stay in contact with my mentee after the 6-month program?
- Many of our NextGen Leaders have continued to stay in touch with their mentors after the program ends.
- Do I need to have a disability to be a mentor?
- No. Many of our mentors do have disabilities, but it is not necessary.
- Is there a financial commitment to being a mentor?
- No.
- Why should our business participate in the NextGen Leader Initiatives?
- Participating in the NextGen Leader Initiatives is a great opportunity to support emerging leaders by linking students and recent graduates to the professional world. Additionally, participation gives your business access to a wide array of talent that increases the recruitment and hiring of people with disabilities. Program participation can add value to your company’s image as “disability inclusive” and a “Best Places to Work” employer.
- Will I have more than one mentee?
- Typically, no.
- Can I connect my mentee to internship or job opportunities?
- Yes! We encourage our mentors to share resources and employment opportunities with their mentees.