Before I graduated in 2024, I watched friends send out hundreds of applications and hear nothing in return. These were capable, motivated people who had done everything right; they had internships, strong resumes, and solid recommendations. Still, most of the roles they wanted required years of experience they hadn’t had the opportunity to gain yet.
RiseTalent was created for recent grads and early-career professionals (aka people like me): people who are ready to work but need the right foundation and someone willing to invest in their potential. Participants in the apprenticeship cohorts complete over 500 hours of training in procurement and supply chain consulting, paired with real project work, technical upskilling, and continuous mentorship.
When I sat down with the first RiseTalent cohort at the end of their training, their stories reminded me so much of what I had seen. Long job searches, missed opportunities, and a lot of unanswered questions. But also, something different. They had found a way forward, and the more I listened, the more I realized how powerful that shift could be.
The search for something real
Before they joined RiseTalent, every apprentice had spent months searching for something that felt real. They were scrolling job boards late at night, tweaking resumes, showing up for interviews that never went anywhere. Some had just graduated. Others were already working but could see the limits of their current path. What they shared was the sense that there had to be a better way to start.
Cesare Allocco had recently moved back to Florida. He was waiting tables and applying to roles that never led anywhere. He wanted to start his career but didn’t know where to begin.
“I found RiseTalent on LinkedIn,” he said. “It seemed like a real opportunity to build something.”
McKinley Tickle had applied to hundreds of roles before learning about the program. He had experience and a clear sense of direction, but his applications weren’t getting any traction.
“When I found RiseTalent, it felt different,” he said. “The interviews weren’t just checklists. It felt like they already saw me as a part of the team.”
Others, like Wrigley Ferguson, had entered the workforce but quickly realized they were on their own. He had worked as a buyer for a Fortune 100 company for two years but never received formal training. Most of what he learned came from figuring things out without support.
“I realized I had gone as far as I could without more structure,” he said. “I needed something to help me keep growing.”
They weren’t asking for a favor. They just needed a door to open; an organization that would take a chance on them and let them prove they were ready to do the work.
More than a job
Once they joined RiseTalent, what stood out to them was the program’s design. It focuses on building capability through structure, mentorship, and connection, instead of checking off requirements or rushing people into roles.
Wrigley said this was the first time he had been part of something where people were committed to helping him grow.
“It wasn’t just a job,” he said. “It was a path with direction.”
Paige Potvin joined the cohort while beginning a master’s program and quickly saw how different this experience was from others she had considered.
“With other offers, I would have been stuck in the same role for a long time,” she said. “Here, I felt like I was being developed. That changed how I saw myself and what I was capable of.”
Hanna Osgood described the training as something that gave her confidence while making the transition from college to the workforce.
“It felt familiar in some ways,” she said. “Like school, but more focused. It helped me understand not just what to do, but why it mattered.”
They weren’t just absorbing new information. They were learning how to work, how to communicate, and how to grow in a real-world environment.
Confidence that builds over time
Near the end of the program, the apprentices completed a capstone project that pulled everything together in a client-style scenario. They reviewed requirements, organized work, and produced deliverables with guidance when they needed it. For many, it was the first time they were asked to bring together everything they had learned and put it to use.
“I had built it up in my head as this huge challenge,” Wrigley said. “And it was. But I felt ready. That was a turning point.”
Thomas Molteni shared that the RiseNow team had been clear from the beginning about the goal. They didn’t expect perfection, but they expected preparation.
“They wanted us to feel confident,” he said. “And they gave us what we needed to get there.”
Even when challenges came up during the training, like delays in demo environments, the team stayed steady and transparent. McKinley said that kind of communication stood out.
“They kept us in the loop and stayed flexible,” he said. “It made a big difference to know we weren’t going through it alone.”
By the time the cohort completed the program, they didn’t just have technical knowledge. They had real-world experience, a foundation they could build on, and the confidence to step into complex environments and add value right away.
A different way to begin
RiseTalent wasn’t built to hand out jobs. It was built to create better beginnings, grounded in structure, mentorship, and real experience.
From the start, apprentices aren’t sitting on the sidelines. They’re part of real project teams, working alongside consultants, supporting client deliverables, and learning how to navigate the challenges that come with fast-moving environments. They’re expected to listen, problem-solve, and contribute with intention.
One RiseTalent mentor and SME, Bill King, even shared that, “Our apprentices deliver such high‑quality work that they perform like seasoned professionals.”
By the time they complete the program, these apprentices don’t just understand the tools and systems behind supply chain transformation. They know how to operate in the real world, communicate with clients, and adapt as the work evolves. They’re not just ready to contribute. They’re ready to keep up, speak up, and move the work forward.
Because when you give the right people the right support, you don’t just shape careers. You raise the bar on what great teams can do.
For recent grads
You don’t need years of experience to begin. If you’re curious, collaborative, and ready to grow, RiseTalent offers a paid, hands-on path into supply chain transformation.
Learn more and apply to be a part of the next cohort now→
For employers
Looking for early-career talent ready to make an impact? RiseTalent apprentices gain real experience and practical skills to contribute to projects, drive results, and grow with your team on day one.
