Come hear advisory board members and school staff share school/business teamwork strategies that result in dynamic work-based learning and internship opportunities. Learn the ingredients of the "secret sauce" that make for thriving partnerships.

1. #NAFNext2014

2. School / Business Partnerships
A Recipe For Success
#NAFNext2014

3. Who we are
#NAFNext2014
Kim Bennett-Internship Coordinator
Pathways Academy of Technology & Design, Hartford, CT
(860) 695-9495 capok001@hartfordschools.org
(Academy of Information Technology) www.pathwaystotechnology.com
Tara Spain-Community Relations
Vice President, Travelers Foundation, Hartford, CT
(860) 277-7015 tnspain@travelers.com
Bernie Sheridan- Advisory Board Member
Program and Account Management, Travelers Insurance, Hartford, CT
(860) 954-2202 bernie.sheridan@travelers.com

4. Description and Objectives
#NAFNext2014
 Highlight the importance of establishing strong collaborative
relationships between the school, Industry Advisory Board, and the
business community to enhance work-based learning experiences for
students
 Provide ideas on how to develop ways to bring students and
professionals together
 Allow time to share thoughts, ideas, and successes to keep dialogue
focused on increasing student success within a work-based learning
program

5. Format of Learning Seminar
#NAFNext2014
 Discussion versus Lecture
 Goal-100% of participants will learn two new strategies to build
partnerships between your school and local business partners

6. Advisory Boards
#NAFNext2014
 Who has an Advisory Board?
 Why Does NAF Insist on Advisory Boards?
 What is the make up of your AB?
 Suggestions for Advisory Boards
• 80% Business Partners
• 20% Community Organizations, Higher Education

7. Pathways Advisory Board
#NAFNext2014
35 professionals from 21 companies, 2 colleges / universities, the school
district, and the school.
Also represent industry groups such as Society for Information
Management, Society for Information Management, Black Data
Professional Association, and Project Management Institute
IAB Member Roles:
Speak on classroom topics
Speak at Career Day
Host Job Shadows
Participate in Resume Workshops and Mock Interviews
Review Curriculum
Assist in Recruiting New Students
Meet with groups of students – Advisory, Lunch n’ Learn
Advise Project Teams
Mentor Individual students
Obtain Scholarships
Acquire internships
What other ways does your AB support Your School?

8. Building the Relationships
#NAFNext2014
 Be patient – building relationships takes time
 Start small – Why?
 Have a plan
 Identify needs of faculty
 Identify AB members who can assist faculty
 Students are your best “marketing tool”
 Use current relationships to expand network
 THANK YOU!
 Celebrate successes

9. Finding Business Partners
#NAFNext2014
 Define the “ask”
 Identify companies
 Companies whose philanthropic mission is education
 Companies with “Early-Age-Talent” recruitment
 Travelers EDGE Program
 IBM, Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Microsoft, EA, Apple
 NAF Board of Director Companies
 http://naf.org/board
 Identify industry trade associations
 Google search
 Theme specific search (e.g. IT, Finance, Engineering, etc…)
 Associations targeting ethnic or gender-based groups

10. Finding Business Partners
#NAFNext2014
 Identify non-profit organizations
 Chamber of Commerce
 United Way, Red Cross, Rotary Club
 Workforce Development Agencies

11. Case Study – Travelers, Pathways and High
School Inc.
#NAFNext2014
 Travelers support for Hartford Schools
 Travelers support for NAF
 Four Travelers Employees on Pathways AB
 AB Co-Chair and 3 AB members
 Three Travelers Employees on High School Inc. AB
 AB Co-Chair and 2 AB members
 Classroom Presentations
 Mock Interviews
 Career Day
 Lunch and Learn
 Job Shadow Day
 Internships
 Career exploration with IT, finance and business managers (14 interns in
2014 between High School, Inc. and Pathways)

12. Case Study – Travelers, Pathways and High
School Inc.
#NAFNext2014
 Formal partnerships – Travelers, Pathways and High School Inc.
 Annual grant
 Mentoring, tutoring, professional development and field trips
 Inclusion in the Travelers EDGE (Empowering Dreams for Graduation and
Employment) program
 Leverage Travelers support of other organizations (CPEP)
 Summer math video game program to increase math competencies
 Personality testing, NYC trip with Travelers CEO

13. Think, Pair, Share
#NAFNext2014
Take 15 minutes to share in small groups:
 Summarize your Work-Based Learning Program
 Ways you have brought students together with professionals
 Success stories you have had in your Work Based Learning Program

14. #NAFNext2014
Questions?

15. Final Reflections
#NAFNext2014
 When I get home, two things I plan to DO with the
information I learned are…
 The most significant aspect of this presentation for me
was…