On Feb. 20, the Detroit Regional Chamber hosted a webinar to help employers explore mentorship as a powerful tool for talent development. The event featured an engaging panel discussion with:
- Cameron Henry, Mentee, CareerSpring; Student, University of Michigan
- Michael Khoury, Regional Program Manager, Detroit, CareerSpring
- Eric Ly, Mentee, CareerSpring; Student, University of Michigan
- Himani Nirpula, Mentee, CareerSpring; Student, University of Michigan
- Tara Palmerton, Director, Human Resources, Surgical Notes
The discussion spotlighted CareerSpring, a unique networking and job placement platform designed to connect employers seeking diverse talent with underrepresented students and graduates in need of career opportunities and mentorship.
A significant portion—approximately 80%—of CareerSpring’s advisees come from Hispanic, Black, or Asian backgrounds, but the program also benefits any first-generation or low-income students.
Khoury explained that CareerSpring was intentionally created to address the challenges employers face in sourcing diverse talent. While many companies report difficulty in finding high-qualified, diverse candidates, he said the data tells a different story: “First-generation students are way more likely to graduate from college and be underemployed than their peers who went to college.”
“On the demand side, there’s a shortage, and on the supply side, we have all these wonderful people who are not being fully utilized, so CareerSpring is trying to bridge that gap,” he said.
CareerSpring bridges the gap through several key strategies:
- Providing career insights. Students gain access to resources like short videos from employers that showcase different career paths, from automotive engineering to marketing to human resources.
- Facilitating connections. The platform links companies seeking diverse talent with students looking for internships or entry-level career opportunities.
- Building a mentor network. With over 1,600 volunteers, CareerSpring offers a robust network of advisors who provide students with career guidance and mentorship, increasing the students’ social capital.
By leveraging these strategies, CareerSpring is not only helping students launch fulfilling careers but also enabling employers to tap into a rich and underutilized talent pool.
The Employer Perspective
From an employer’s perspective, CareerSpring delivers great value, according to Palmerton.
Her company, Surgical Notes, hosted three interns over the summer, and the experience proved to be mutually beneficial. The students gained valuable skills while contributing fresh ideas and perspectives, which led to meaningful improvements within the organization, such as an improved onboarding process and revamped salary system.
These contributions showcased the tangible impact of the interns’ contributions and even resulted in some receiving offers to continue at the company.
“Having those interns, being able to mentor some of them, it gives them that next step up,” Palmerton said. “They can get connected to my network, any of the other advisors’ network. They can also gain that valuable information on things that they can do to progress in their career.”
The Student Perspective
During the webinar, Henry, Ly, and Nipula also shared their experiences with CareerSpring, offering a powerful student perspective on the program’s impact. They described how CareerSpring had been transformative—broadening their career horizons, providing access to valuable internships, and helping them build strong professional networks.
Nipula, in particular, highlighted how the program reshaped her career aspirations, steering her from a focus on psychology to exploring opportunities in the corporate world.
“After that experience, I got so much information. I learned so many skills that I would have never learned outside,” Nipula said. “Through speaking with my advisors and many amazing mentors through CareerSpring, I learned that whatever you enter college with, that’s not your limit. You have to have so much potential. And CareerSpring really opened that door for me.”
How Employees Can Get Started With CareerSpring
Getting involved with CareerSpring as an employer is straightforward and requires minimal effort, shared Khoury. CareerSpring assists employers in setting up their profiles and offers guidance on conducting effective conversations with students. Most advisors receive only one to two advisee requests per quarter, requiring just a 30-minute virtual chat at a minimum.
Additionally, employers can contribute to CareerSpring’s video library by submitting short, personalized videos, often recorded on phones for a conversational feel. They can also post job openings and internship opportunities directly on the platform, further connecting with emerging talent.
By engaging with CareerSpring, employers not only invest in the next generation of professionals but also bring fresh energy and ideas to their teams, creating a win-win for everyone involved.
To learn more about CareerSpring, visit careerspring.org. The Detroit Regional Chamber can also help with your mentorship program. To get started, connect with Christi Taylor, Senior Director of Employer Engagement, at ctaylor@detroitchamber.com.