When Derek Valentine left Dell Technologies’ cybersecurity division to become director of belonging, diversity, and equity at UKG, a global HR software company, he brought more than marketing and technology expertise to the role. He also came equipped with connections. In addition to leading accounts for Dell’s central region, Valentine volunteered to build out the company’s diversity and inclusion efforts. His longtime mentor Monica Cooper, chief marketing and communications officer at the Robinson College of Business, put him in touch with Jason Aldrich, the college’s associate dean for strategic partnerships. Aldrich suggested Valentine collaborate with Denise Holmes, senior director of Robinson’s Undergraduate Career Advancement Center (CAC). Through that work, Valentine became familiar with the robust population of talent at Georgia State University, particularly Robinson. Valentine took all that momentum to UKG, where he has worked closely with the CAC to build a mutually beneficial partnership.
“Mentorship has a multiplier effect. It first impacts the mentee, who subsequently empowers others by sharing the knowledge and skills gained through networking,” Cooper said. “Derek is a tremendous example of a mentee paying it forward by becoming a mentor, enabling others to join him on a trajectory to success.”
UKG impacts students’ lives well before the recruiting stage. Through its Empower U program, company leaders conduct professional workshops on campus. The first phase of sessions involves corporate awareness: understanding what the human capital management industry is and what opportunities are available at UKG. As part of the second phase, students build skills they can carry through their entire careers. Topics include LinkedIn profile tips, interview practice, time management, and personal branding.
“We take a holistic approach,” Valentine said. “We prepare students for positions ideally at UKG, but they will have the tools they need to garner a job anywhere.”
The Empower U initiative has been crafted strategically to engage students early in their career journey. Focus groups with UKG interns and its talent acquisition team as well as Robinson students and faculty have resulted in workshops that meet students’ development needs and fill gaps for employers. Over the course of just 18 months, more than 20 students have accepted internships and full-time positions at UKG. Most of them are business majors.
“I’m in awe of what Robinson students have already accomplished. I can’t help but ask myself what I was doing when I was their age,” said Elena Norde, UKG’s senior external talent engagement specialist. “We’re bringing amazing students into the company.”
Computer information systems junior Makayla Laing has secured a summer internship on UKG’s employee listening team. The position fuses her academic major with her associate degree in psychology. In the role, she will compose and distribute employee satisfaction surveys and analyze responses, ultimately influencing policies and programming that will increase staff retention. Laing attended two Empower U sessions in the winter and received additional interview preparation from Christopher Jones, UKG’s lead service project manager. Jones also went out of his way to match Laing with a mentor; UKG lead manager Sabrina Smith meets with Laing on a biweekly basis.
“He thought it was important for me to have a Black woman mentor,” Laing said. “Through my interactions with leaders from UKG, it stood out to me how much they care about people.”
In addition to regularly engaging with students at Robinson’s Delta Student Success Center, UKG has hosted events at its Atlanta office. Students toured the facility, participated in a panel discussion led by members of UKG employee resource groups, and networked with UKG staff.
“Our collaboration with UKG has been immensely beneficial to undergraduate students and equipped them to seamlessly transition from college to career,” Holmes said. “We are enthusiastic about the future of our partnership and the impact it will have on Robinson students.”
Students can learn soft skills like adaptability, communication, and teamwork fairly easily. But other traits are more difficult to impart.
“You can’t always teach drive and grit. To not have to motivate someone all the time is huge,” Valentine said. “The Robinson students I’ve encountered are extremely compelled to succeed.”
Richard Phillips, Robinson’s dean, recently invited Valentine as well as senior UKG leaders including its CEO and chief diversity officer to campus to discuss how the partnership can grow. Students who have participated in Empower U offered their perspectives as well.
“We are proud to support UKG’s efforts to launch an innovative professional development model,” Aldrich said. “Our partnership results in high-quality internships and full-time jobs for our students.”