Clark, URS San Francisco Protégé (Winner!)
In a word, ACP means opportunity. When several of my colleagues from the campus Veterans Group at UC Berkeley told me about this program I knew I had to check it out. I put in my application, waited a while, and lo and behold, I’ve been matched with a fantastic mentor, Natalie, here in San Francisco.
This Friday I have my first interview with Cisco Systems. (To be more precise, it’s the first non telephone job interview of my entire life!) Of course I had no clue what to do, but Natalie, with her excellent connections, was able to get me the inside scoop on what to expect and how to prepare.
It has been an informative experience for her too; just this week she came and watched me speak on campus to a lecture hall full of students about my experiences in Afghanistan. Thanks Natalie and ACP!
Robert, Energy Future Holdings Dallas Protégé
ACP is an excellent opportunity to connect with a knowledgeable member of the corporate community, and assist me to translate my military skills into an effective civilian career. My mentor has been very considerate in taking the time to work with me using the ACP Mentor handbook to identify my strengths, and use them to maximize my potential. I am very fortunate that my mentor, Mr. Carrell from Energy Future Holdings has taken a specific interest in helping me work through the handbook to ensure I make the most of my time as a member of the program. Brittany did a wonderful job matching me based on my current school path and interests, and fitted me to Mr. Carrell, who is on the career path that I am studying toward.
Jeffrey, IBM Washington D.C. Protégé
I discovered ACP through the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities program and was blessed with being provided a “Mentor”.
Before meeting my mentor I was unfocused, spread very thin and had many remote dreams. Now I have focus and passion, a solid action plan, as well as accomplishable meaningful goals! My mentor has not only helped me outline an ideal business suited towards my talents, she worked with each of my 3 children and has also helped my wife start her first business!
So, what does ACP mean to me? It means opportunity, hope, friendship, and a second chance!
My family and I can’t “Thank YOU” enough for what you’ve given us and other veterans too!
I finally met my mentor after a year of near-weekly conversations and emails (because she lives in Michigan and I live in VA). She shared a Thanksgiving feast with the Curry family on Nov 22, 2011… and we are so thankful to have her in our lives!
Sarah, Travelers National Program Protégé
I can’t help but think of the credit card commercials on television that compare the cost of products to the unmatchable security of that “priceless” life event which exceeds any dollar amount. I feel that the ACP opportunity is just that, “priceless”. You cannot place a dollar amount or rank the exposure that ACP offers to veteran leaders since this is a one-of-a-kind experience that is truly immeasurable. ACP offers a door which is wide-open to its protégés. Half the battle of connecting to a network of professionals is overcome as ACP staff develops the plan and matches protégés to their mentor. The professional networking resource in itself is the gateway to limitless opportunities to education, training, leadership development and job placement. The process of the year-long mentorship program ACP offers provides the edge, the competitive advantage that is paramount to achieving success in corporate America.
Louis, Home Depot Atlanta Protégé
I was able to schedule a time to meet my mentor, Mr. Jessel, while in Atlanta. He is a Merchant at the Home Depot Corporate office. Once I arrived he met me at the security desk; where the guards who were prior service themselves spoke highly of the organization; we got some coffee and he took me on a tour of the Museum there and explained to me the history of Home Depot, beyond what we see at our local store here in Alabama. Immediately I recognized his sincere appreciation for the Military and his patriotism. He listened to my 'verbal' resume and helped me identify key words that would translate into the corporate world. This alone broke some areas of uncertainty I had in trying to translate my military experience into normal language.
From the immediate encounter, I realized that ACP was serious about their concern for the military and their veterans. I believe that this program is not just thrown together, but was to be one carefully screened to ensure a good bond between veteran and civilian. Thanks ACP and thank you Mr. Jessel.
Tim, General Electric National Program Protégé
One day after I joined ACP I started to communicate with my mentor Aaron via email.
After a couple of emails and formal general questions about each other I decided to tell Aaron that my birthday was tomorrow!
"Great Dude!, happy birthday!" he said to me and of course I replied, "Thank you."
The next morning I woke up and turned on my computer and logged into my email. Out of nowhere and all the sudden I saw an email from Aaron titled Happy B-Day, Tim from your good friend Aaron.
It turned out that Aaron had sent me electronic card through email. It was very cool and the card was animated and dag gone funny to enjoy, too. Everyone can enjoy a good surprise card once in awhile.
Rachel, Harvard National Program Protégé
ACP (American Corporate Partners) serves and supports America's Veterans by connecting Veterans with business leaders through an online network offering business advice and free nationwide mentoring programs. ACP's nationwide mentoring program matches Corporate Mentors and Veteran Protégés; by two methods: the In-Person Mentoring Program and the E-Mentoring Program. I am a Veteran Protégé currently participating in the E-Mentoring Program matched with a Corporate Mentor from Harvard University.
In conclusion, ACP means: to build on the core values, experiences, and standards of excellence developed during our military careers; while continuing to expand our professional networks, increase our knowledge base, sharpen our leadership and communications skills; and working towards our career development goals and objectives through the process of being mentored by a successful civilian business leader.
Tom, Liberty Mutual Boston Protégé
My name is Tom McGrory and I joined the ACP program after I finished college at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I was trying to break into the business world with little or no guidance on what to do or how to act. That's when I was introduced to my mentor Nathan. The Army teaches you core values that you can take with you for the rest of your life and apply them to any situation; however it does not teach you how to be a polished and articulate businessman. This is where Nathan came in; he has helped me with a plethora of skills from resume building to networking. Since working with Nathan I have set career goals for myself and have a solid plan of where I want to be in the future and how I am going to get there. I am now, more than ever, confident that I am ready to trade the ACU's for suits and ties although I still wouldn't mind jeans and a t-shirt.
Wacinque, Accenture Chicago Protégé
This journey I have started with ACP reminds me of the unlimited opportunity and dynamic beginning I experienced 36 years ago when I joined the US Marine Corps as a determined but hopeful 17 years old. Then as today was in an environment clouded of many uncertainties, where the country was winding up a long war and the economy was going through an adjustment. Against that backdrop I first believed in the proven history and tradition of the outstanding organization I was seeking to become a member of and make my contribution. Second I looked within myself and made a decision to do whatever it takes to earn the appropriate standing then was the title US Marine today is the title Entrepreneur. Third if my performance the past 36 years are an indication, my next years as an entrepreneur portend a measure of mutually beneficial success!!
Jacob, Harvard National Program Protégé
Altruistic, rewarding, visionary and life altering program-that’s American Corporate Partners (ACP) to me. ACP’s fundamental goal is simple; serve those who served our nation. They represent a priceless experience to both the protégés and mentors. For me, finding a mentor and having someone guide me to my goals, couldn’t be more important. Friendship, enjoyment, and leadership examples helps me grew as business professional, but more importantly, as a person. I’m humbled and honored to be a part of something I truly believe in, ACP.
LaTrice, PepsiCo Dallas Protégé
A Better Tomorrow is what ACP means to me. I have been in the military for ten years now, four years active and now I serve as a reservist and it hard to make a place in Corporate America. I am a dual career woman, meaning in the military I’m a Food Service Specialist but as a civilian I’m someone trying to get a start in the IT career field. After serving overseas and going to school for an IT job I was faced with having no experience and nobody to ask for help. My dreams of a better job for me and my family went from being something in reach to being not possible. For me being selected into the ACP program has given me hope that I will be able to work with someone that can help point me in the right direction to change my life for the better.
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