Getting real-world experience was a real plus for 2024 Craig graduate Abi Austin, who attended the JBA during the 202324 school year. “The most valuable thing I learned was just being exposed to real workplace environments and learning from actual professionals of all kinds,” says Austin. “They want you to ask questions and to be curious about things. It really helped, career-wise. There are so many options out there to explore. Getting to know those adults was very valuable.” Another key component is one-on-one mentorship. Students list their career interests and are matched up with a mentor that works closely with them. Attorney Tim Lindau of Nowlan Law first heard about the program at a Forward Janesville meeting. He signed up to be a mentor the first year and has participated ever since. “I talk to them about what the day-to-day life of an attorney is, the kinds of projects that I work on,” says Lindau. “I also impress greatly upon them community involvement, and so for example, I would bring them to a Forward Janesville board meeting, talk to them about all of the community needs and opportunities.” Lindau says the program is vital because it baits the hook for students to return to Janesville after college to pursue their careers. “Getting these kids relationships in our businesses now could pay massive dividends in the future because (they) know now that Janesville has a lot to offer.” Prent’s Hiller, who also serves as board chair for the Forward Foundation, agrees. “(The Foundation) believes in talent retention. If we can get more students to find a path (here) for a career, they go off to (college), but they come back because they have a connection with one of our organizations.” For 2024 Craig graduate Luke Mullen, his JBA experience ended up leading him down an entirely new career path. “Originally, going into my senior year, I wanted to do something in finance, and I was pretty set in stone on that,” says Mullen. “But I already knew people in finance and had those connections, so I asked for a pilot mentor because ever since I was little, I thought that would be a cool career.” The JBA paired Mullen with Brandon Moore, a 2010 Craig graduate who is now a commercial pilot for United Airlines based at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. “(Brandon) was awesome,” says Mullen. “He showed me his path from college to regional airlines to all the way now to the big leagues with United. He got me hooked on aviation and now I’m at the University of Dubuque doing aviation. I feel great going into my future.” Lindau says that mentors like him gain as much from the experience as the mentee. “I learned so much from (the students),” he says. “Learning what they do, what’s important to them, what they value, how they allocate their time. These are impressive kids. I learned more from them than they learned from me. (It) restores my faith in the next generation and gives me more optimism and hope.” 10 | FORWARD JANESVILLE The Hub provides space to meet with business clients to learn about their unique needs 23-24 JANESVILLE BUSINESS ACADEMY PROJECT PARTNERSS Alliant Energy Beloit Sky Carp Doodlemash Downtown Janesville Business Improvement District (BID) Scarlett’s Charm 22-23 JANESVILLE BUSINESS ACADEMY PROJECT PARTNERS Beloit Sky Carp Janesville Business Hub Janesville Performing Arts Center Prent Corporation MercyHealth The Hub's design facilitates collaborative learning He showed me his path from college to regional airlines to all the way now to the big leagues with United. He got me hooked on aviation and now I’m at the University of Dubuque doing aviation. I feel great going into my future.
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