A Q&A with Pam Jeffords, Founder and Managing Partner of DiversityWorks Group.
Access Opportunity: Tell us a little about your company.
Pam Jeffords: DiversityWorks Group is a woman-owned consulting firm supporting leaders that have consciously decided to address inequities in their workforce and amongst those they support and serve.
AO: What is your role with the company and what do you do in that role?
PJ: I am the founder and Managing Partner of DiversityWorks Group. In this role, I am responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with our clients and overseeing and delivering our consulting projects.
AO: Tell us about the different ways DiversityWorks is involved with Access Opportunity. Is there any experience with AO that was particularly meaningful for you or your team?
PJ: In addition to financial support, I was invited to attend several mentoring sessions helping students with their resumes and discussing career path options. One of my favorite and most meaningful experiences was the opportunity to have an AO student work as an intern in our firm. Internships are a way to earn money while in school while also developing the business acumen that will give you a head start in your career.
AO: Why is partnering with Access Opportunity important to DiversityWorks Group?
PJ: When people share stories of how they got their first jobs, we often hear about a connection someone made. My friend's parents, a neighbor, a relative, or someone they knew helped them get the job or encouraged them to apply. This was certainly the case for my children. Opportunity is often associated with access–in this case, access to the network of people who know about opportunities and can sometimes help you get in the door. Not everyone has those critical networks to pass on to their children, and Access Opportunity helps bridge that gap allowing me and others to leverage our networks to help these students the same way I helped my own kids.
AO: Do you have any advice or words of encouragement you can share with AO students?
PJ: Build your network. Strong and diverse networks are critical to uncovering the opportunities available to you. When you meet someone new, ask to connect with them on LinkedIn immediately so they remember you.
Thank you, Pam and DiversityWorks, for your continued partnership and for your commitment to AO and our students!