Set your workforce
up for success.

Through our interactive courses and resources, our professional development platform teaches the unwritten expectations and skills of the workplace.

NYEC members get an exclusive discount of 15% off using discount code NYEC23 at checkout.

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Start your training!

Ampersand is providing 10 lucky professionals with the ultimate launchpad to career success. This training platform ensures you hit the ground running with confidence on day 1 of any new opportunity. Space is limited!

Career Readiness Training

Access our proven career readiness training, following NACE's 8 core competencies, and learn workplace best practices.

Real-Time Tracking

Measurable and actionable workforce intelligence reports to help expand equitable job opportunities across underserved populations.

Career Coaching

Our dedicated career coaches bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and  relatability to ensure Professionals gain the confidence to excel.

Accelerate the Opportunity Youth Workforce

Our platform motivates, engages, and prepares early career professionals to produce their best work and confidently thrive in the workplace.

$250

/ Learner
Get 15% off your order with CODE: NYEC23
What's included?
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    Access to Training Platform, and associated career development curriculum, tools, templates and scripts for learners.
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    Corporate Dashboard with real-time tracking of learners' progress
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    Reminder emails are sent to learners throughout the first 2 months of starting learning.
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    12 total resource emails sent upon completion of each course.  Ampersand certificate sent to each learner upon completion of training.
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    Employee profiles that show every new learner’s unique strengths, areas for growth, and opportunities to hit the ground running
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Training at a Glance

12
interactive Courses
with quizzes
9.5
hours
time commitment
Certification
upon completion
Coaching
1 : 1 Career Coaching

Where our trained professionals now work

Hundreds of successful businesses (and counting!) have hired Ampersand trainees, overwhelmed by their preparedness, confidence and job readiness.
PWC
Kendra Scott Logo
Chevron
EY
Tyson
North
Texas

Networking Events at the Ion

Mastering the Art of Getting a Job

October 18, 2022
5PM - 7PM

More Info

Cup of
Joey

October 21, 2022  8:30AM - 10:30AM

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Prototyping Lab Workshop

November 16, 2022 3PM - 5PM

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Houston Accelerators 101

February 8, 2023   5PM - 7PM

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Investors in Houston

March 8, 2023  
5PM - 7PM

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Corporate Innovation in Houston

April 12, 2023  
5PM - 7PM

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Academic Network Mixer at The Ion

May 10, 2023  
5PM - 7PM

More Info

Course Details

View Sample Course
Welcome Tour
4 Mins
This course is designed to introduce the Ampersand program to learners, set expectations for success, and outline guidelines. Learners will also learn how to access Ampersand support systems and more information about certification and program structure, in order to progress through their training worry-free!
Lessons included:
  • Intro to Ampersand
  • Program Structure
  • Community Expectations
  • Questions & Technology

Goal Setting & Mindset
47 Mins | 1 Quiz
Setting intentional short-term and long-term professional goals powered by a growth-oriented mindset is key to launching a career, and overcoming the challenge of building professional confidence. Learners gain the tools to start setting goals, including methods for articulating goals to managers, dealing with imposter syndrome, and more.
Lessons included:
  • Mindset
  • Imposter Syndrome
  • Goal Setting
  • Case Studies
Structures & Job Functions
35 Mins | 1 Quiz
Develop an understanding of workplace structures, how various departments work together, and types of projects corresponding to various company functions such as marketing, human resources, business development, IT and operations. This information and expertise help employees to better understand how each team and individual contributes to the overall success of any company.
Lessons included:
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Organizational Structure
  • Job Functions: In-Depth
Pitching & Networking
22 Mins | 1 Quiz
Candidates will leverage their personal brands to tell their story, share their strengths, build a community, increase their network and conduct informational interviews.
Lessons included:
  • The Purpose of your Personal Brand
  • Leveraging your Personal Brand
  • Your Pitch
  • Networking & Outreach
Interviewing & Hiring Process
49 Mins | 1 Quiz
Approaching interviews with professionalism and preparation is key to making a strong first impression on an employer, and securing a career-changing role at any stage of a professional career. By reviewing the hiring process, strategies for tackling common interview questions, and how to negotiate a job offer with confidence, learners will ace any interview and secure their dream jobs.
Lessons included:
  • Hiring Process & Preparation
  • Interview Questions & Strategy
  • Wrap-Up & Follow-Up
  • Evaluating Offers
  • Negotiation
  • Case Studies
Working With Your Manager & Team
1 Hr 18 Mins | 1 Quiz
Employees progress in roles and careers through strong relationships with managers. It's essential to walk into a new role with an understanding of how to build trust, as well as best practices to succeed on a new team, give and receive constructive feedback, manage up, and navigate different management styles.
Lessons included:
  • Getting to Know Your Manager & Team
  • Learning Stages In Your New Role
  • Clarifying Expectations
  • Work Schedule & Time-Off
  • Feedback
  • Micromanagement & Manager's Perspective
  • Conflict In The Workplace
Professional Basics
1 Hr 30 Mins | 1 Quiz
Succeeding in the modern workforce requires a robust fluency in various technologies, communication strategies, and professional norms. First, we'll demystify the unspoken rules of the workplace, then learners will dive into key communication skills, tips for personal organization, professional etiquette, and core business tools that are fundamental to success.
Lessons included:
  • Email & Calendar Management
  • Professional Writing
  • Presence & Professionalism
  • Presentations
  • Data Organization & Spreadsheets
  • Research
  • Confidential Information
Reviews & Wrap-Up
48 Mins | 1 Quiz
Succeeding in a role requires a regular exchange of feedback, a thorough understanding of the review process, and an awareness of how the role fits into the bird's eye view of a career. We start by going in-depth on performance review best practice and career advancement tips, then provide learners the tools to successfully transition out of roles while setting organizations up for success and preserving their professional networks.
Lessons included:
  • Intro To Performance Reviews
  • Self-Assessments & Self-Leadership
  • Manager Reviews
  • Career Advancement
  • Concluding A Role

Employee Rights & Support
31 Mins | 1 Quiz
In order to confidently navigate the workplace, professionals need to understand the rights and protections afforded to them, as well as how to manage their stress and mental health. By diving into employee rights, strategies for burnout prevention, workplace bias, microaggressions, and more, we prepare learners to self-advocate in the workplace.
Lessons included:
  • Employee Rights
  • Mental Health In The Workplace
  • Bias In The Workplace
  • Accommodation in The Workplace
  • Harassment In The Workplace
Beyond the Workplace
51 Mins | 1 Quiz
Self-management doesn't end at the job; showing up as the best professional possible means understanding how external factors can affect workplace performance. To prepare professionals to be indepedent and self-sufficient, we start by covering the different types of employee benefits and insurance policies available, before taking a closer look at how to effectively manage finances, plan for retirement, and avoid common financial scams.
Lessons included:
  • Employee Benefits
  • Making The Most Of Your Cashflow
Ampersand Professional Certification
8 Mins
Learners will review the process and criteria for becoming a Certified Ampersand Professional and sign-up for their meeting slot with an Ampersand Career Coach.
Lessons included:
  • Your Ampersand Interview
  • Get Certified

1-on-1 Career Coaching

Ampersand’s professional development coaches provide consistent, constructive feedback and support as early career professionals learn the culture and processes of a new business. Our coaches have built a comprehensive, customizable framework so that new hires have a positive onboarding experience and can immediately start contributing to any organization.

Course Details

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Accolades for Ampersand

From landing a job to upskilling entry-level talent, our happy customers are giving high marks all around.

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As we wrap up the experience in the platform, I’m walking away with the skills I need to get my dream job, like creating a strong resume and tailoring it to a job description, putting together a detailed portfolio, and activating my network on LinkedIn and beyond. I developed my professional communication and presentation skills, learned about SEO and blog writing, and built connections with my managers that will help me in my exploration of potential careers."

Cameron Cole
Willamette University, Sophomore
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Ampersand has been beyond helpful throughout this entire process. They were always available to answer any questions I had and gave me the confidence I needed to be a better intern. I appreciated the career help that I was given by Scott. It made me realize that I really can achieve any career path I want if I put in the work on my LinkedIn and polish up my resume, as well as grow my network. I also enjoyed my weekly meeting with Scott to catch up on my progress at my internship. These sessions gave me the confidence boost I needed and also clear up any questions I had about literally anything."

Wara Makinojia
University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business, Senior
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Ampersand has given me the opportunity to better myself in every way and provided me with a process that enhanced both my strengths and weaknesses. With the projects I was given, I was able to develop my design talents and my communication skills by using Adobe and Canva. My internship experience was both instructive and eye-opening. My supervisors taught me step-by-step how to complete each task, and once I got the hang of it, they gave me the flexibility to do tasks that involved creativity. I'm especially proud of my social assets because it allowed me to utilize my imagination and envision how I wanted to develop a specific template while still adhering to the company's branding guidelines."

Allison McKinney
Compass, Intern

Not a Member of NYEC?

We would like to invite you to become members of our coalition to better inform federal policy, connect with other organizations, and participate in workshops and forums. We hope you will consider joining a network of over 200 community partners! We have opportunities for youth leadership, discounts on forums/workshops, and opportunities to join members-only groups like our Policy Committee and Executive Leaders. Our members are also able to participate in our grant-based work, be highlighted in our newsletters, and share their best practices on a national scale.