The Associates Program trains young professionals develop their leadership capacity by creating professional and civic opportunity in the early stages of their careers.

Like all of our training services, the Associates Program also plays a critical role in maintaining the city’s professional diversity. Three-quarters of our program graduates credit The Partnership with influencing their decision to stay in Boston.

Participants. Asian, Black, Latino, Native American or South Asian professionals with two to eight years experience at a Greater Boston organization. Many participants have recently assumed their first management position; all are recognized by their employer as having high potential.  Click here to meet the Class of 2010. 

Content. Training topics include:

• Learning Personal Leadership Skills
• Discovering Your Personal Brand
• Best Practices for Being Mentored
• Understanding Organizational Culture
• Negotiating and Resolving Conflict

All trainings include interactive discussion, hands-on learning, networking, personal brand evaluation and small group discussions that cross industry, racial, cultural and ethnic lines. The year begins with a emotional intelligence and conflict management session using BarOn EQ and Thomas Kilman tools.  Associate’s managers join them for two trainings.

Professional and mentoring relationships established through the Associates Program prove invaluable throughout participants' careers.

Timeframe. Associates meet monthly, beginning with a January Orientation and ending with a December Culmination Ceremony.