January means fresh, tangible goals, preferably that stick beyond the first cold months of the new year. But beyond typical wellness goals that young adults might make, setting a specific career-related goal for an internship or mentorship is one that many young adults should also consider.

Cottingham & Butler, one company that recognizes the (direct) value of internships for college students, expends many efforts to maintain an effective program.

Brian Davis, assistant vice president of human resources, explained that “two parts work together to attract and prepare interns”: recruiting efforts, led by Maddie Andrews, and the intern program itself, led by Sara Klostermann.

Klostermann, director of organizational development, stresses that interns can have any major; the main factor involves students’ goals.

“Students who are interested, eager and intelligent will have meaningful work during the internship,” Klostermann said. “If they are looking for careers and want to learn the culture, they acclimate quickly.”

A talent acquisition specialist, Maddie Andrews explained that when students attend recruiting events, students’ character stands out as much as their track record up to that point.

“Students learn about the intern program on-campus, at career fairs and at Cottingham & Butler events, including a rooftop event,” Andrews said. “They might also fill out applications directly (from company’s website).”

Davis emphasized that Cottingham & Butler makes tremendous efforts to locate individuals.

“We hold 70 to 80 campus events each year where students meet with multiple people to find the right fit,” Davis said. “About 90% of them accept the offer.”

Davis points out that the internship is essentially a 10-week interview during which time the interns can become clear with their long-term goals.

For those interns hired on full time, the new work experience is paired with mentoring possibilities.

Klostermann said that employees “foster opportunities to create relationships with formalized training” and also with a less formal approach of “see one, be one, teach one” in efforts to prepare the next generation.

Davis confirms that the mentorship approach is unique at Cottingham & Butler. For instance, his own mentors have depended on his roles, and that since a “first role is different than the 15th, which is different than the seventh,” it is valuable to have “a diverse group of talented folks.”

“When surrounded by the right people, it’s a community effort,” Davis said.

Mentorships form from work-related tasks and goals that also involve company culture, the specific team, and meaningful work to acclimate quickly, Klostermann said.

Mentors receive training on how to foster open communication through weekly one-on-one meetings where mentees can be comfortable sharing ideas or have the opportunity to change direction, if needed.

“We learn from (interns and mentees), too,” Klostermann said. “It’s a two-way street that acknowledges different ways of thinking.”

Davis adds that the company wants to empower people to reach out, “to lean in and help others.”

For those in other companies or industries that might not offer a mentorship program (either formal or informal), the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce coordinates Young Professionals Dubuque.

Justine Paradiso, the vice president of events and programs, explains that the Chamber hosts meet and greets, luncheons and other events for college students and young professionals younger than 40 to establish mentoring relationships with local professionals.

“The best time to find a mentor is before you think you need one,” Paradiso said. “Young professionals are matched with mentors based on interest, and (mentors meet mentees) where they are in their professional development.”

Discussions range from practical questions and specific job-related topics to more general professional topics, both types allowing for mentees to learn more about themselves and their capabilities.

Whether young adults plan to apply for an internship at a specific company or to seek a less formal mentorship through an organization like the Chamber of Commerce, the new year is a good time for making professional development plans, and now is as good a time as any to fill out an application.

While applying for an internship might be a plan for young adults, establishing a mentoring relationship can be beneficial in any career, or even in a volunteer or artistic pursuit. The vital part about mentorships or internships is taking that first step to connect.