On October 3, 2024, MOSTe (Motivating Our Students Through Experience) collaborated with Ares Management's ANEW (Ares Network of Empowered Women) to host a career fair at Ares Management's Los Angeles headquarters. The event was designed to offer MOSTe Scholars from underserved communities a unique opportunity to explore diverse professional career paths, interact with industry experts, and gain valuable insights into thriving in various roles within the corporate world.
The career fair featured five specialized sessions focusing on different departments within Ares Management, including Investor Relations, Compliance/Legal, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Strategy Operations. Professionals from each department shared their experiences and knowledge, providing scholars with a comprehensive understanding of the skills required in these fields and the challenges and rewards associated with various career paths.
A highlight of the event was an elevator pitch session, where scholars practiced their professional presentations and developed crucial networking and communication skills. This hands-on activity offered students a practical perspective on the importance of personal branding and making strong first impressions in the workplace—skills invaluable in today's competitive job market.
Nicole Fisher, Executive Director of MOSTe, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, "This event was about more than exploring career options. Our scholars are gaining confidence in their potential and taking important steps toward their future success." She added that Ares Management provided students with a meaningful opportunity to ask questions and discover different career paths, underlining the event's role in bridging the gap between education and professional aspirations.
The collaboration between MOSTe and Ares Management represents a significant step in addressing the underrepresentation of women, particularly those from underserved communities, in various professional fields. By providing early exposure to diverse career options and facilitating interactions with successful professionals, the event aims to inspire and prepare young women for future success in the corporate world.
This initiative aligns with MOSTe's mission of mentoring and empowering girls from underserved areas of Los Angeles County to become college-educated women. Since its inception in 1986, MOSTe has been instrumental in supporting students through mentorship, college guidance, and leadership development. The organization's partnerships with mentors and businesses play a crucial role in helping young women achieve academic success and career readiness.
The career fair at Ares Management's headquarters not only provided valuable information about various professional fields but also offered a glimpse into the corporate environment. Participants had the opportunity to tour the office, further immersing themselves in the professional atmosphere and gaining a tangible sense of what their future careers might entail.
Events like this career fair are crucial in addressing the systemic barriers that often prevent young women from underserved communities from accessing information and opportunities in professional fields. By demystifying corporate careers and providing direct access to professionals, MOSTe and Ares Management are taking concrete steps to level the playing field and empower the next generation of female leaders.
As the job market continues to evolve rapidly, early exposure to diverse career paths and skill development opportunities becomes increasingly important. The MOSTe and Ares Management career fair serves as a model for how corporations and non-profit organizations can collaborate to create meaningful experiences that have the potential to shape the future of young individuals and, by extension, the workforce as a whole. For more information about MOSTe and its initiatives, visit www.moste.org.
