At SEED, we are committed to guiding our students on the path to fulfilling careers and economic stability. One of the ways we do this is through the SEED Graduate Institute (SGI): a collaboration between The SEED Foundation’s College Transition and Success Team and our SEED graduates. SGI is open to SEED graduates from all classes and is designed to foster their professional and personal development, build their networks, expand their understanding of personal finance, and to provide insight into workplace environments. Whether they are charting, beginning, or switching careers, SEED graduates that participate in SGI leave with information to support their goals.
Held virtually for the second year in a row, the 15th Annual SEED Graduate Institute opened with remarks from SEED’s CEO Lesley Poole. Ms. Poole set the tone for the weekend-long event by uplifting the SEED core value gratitude. “It’s been a tough year,” she acknowledged, but “we can make the choice to be grateful. Cultivating gratitude helps us persevere. It gives us the ability to see the good, to relish the positive experiences, and to deal with adversity.”
SEED Graduate, Shamari Pratt
One of the highlights of the weekend was the “Graduate Business Showcase” led by SEED graduates who are fulfilling their goals of becoming entrepreneurs. From what inspired them to what sustains them, panelists and participants talked about the rewards and challenges of being your own boss. The overall spirit was one of mutual support as attendees traded insights on how to balance the “9-5 and 5-9”and how to push through the self-doubt of imposter syndrome. “If you’re thinking about starting a business, reach out to your SEED network. So many of us who are business owners want to offer advice,” said Tamia Spells (SEED DC ’10, Virginia Tech ‘14).
SEED staff and guest presenters also highlighted other post-collegiate paths over the course of SGI. Some notable sessions included:
Dr. Jubria Lewis, director of school improvement at The SEED Foundation, led the session “Mastering the Graduate Admissions Process” for students trying to figure what they needed to consider before applying to graduate school and how to start the process.
SEED Foundation Human Resources Generalist Sabrina Brown coached students on how to skillfully communicate with management during the interview and hiring process to get the best compensation package available.
Garet Turner, CMP, CAE, founder of Soiree Advisors, presented on career transitions and stressed the importance of seeking out service and leadership roles starting in college. He also spoke about the significance of finding advocates and mentors in the workplace.
SEED partner Truist led a session on financial planning and how to establish credit.
Like any SEED experience, SGI was as fun as it was informative. One of the most popular sessions was a lively round of the quiz game Kahoot hosted by sisters Eriel and Alexis Holloway—both SEED graduates and SEED employees. Participants answered questions about SEED history and pop culture, with the winner taking home a $50 gift card. Cordell Mimms, (SEED DC ’11, Morehouse College ’16) also gave a musical performance, and graduates tuned into mix and mingle events.
SGI is one of the ways that The SEED Foundation and the College Transition & Success team support graduates in exploring, identifying, and reaching their career goals. Through our programming—such as SGI, Graduate Panels, and other career planning sessions—SEED is helping to level the playing field.
We know that our students and graduates are the ones who put in the hard work to achieve their goals. With the SEED team by their side to help open doors to a range of opportunities available to them, SEED graduates continue to defy the odds.
Read more about programming for SEED graduates here.