Philadelphia, PA - Cashman & Associates (C&A), a woman-owned and founded full-service lifestyle marketing and communications agency announced the launch of their small-group Masterclass Program in partnership with the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ).
Traditional internships offer an undeniable opportunity for learning and career development, but there are extensive barriers to entry for many students of color or students from minority or disadvantaged backgrounds. Recognizing that, C&A and PABJ have created a program that offers fundamental guidance and resources in a condensed timeframe that is easily adapted for virtual or in-person.
“This partnership is the result of a years-long relationship between Cashman & Associates and the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists leadership, specifically Ernest Owens, President, and Manny Smith, preceding president. Our mission is to offer an inclusive and accessible, first-of-its-kind learning experience with leading professionals in the media and public relations industries for students of color interested in a career in public relations and marketing,” stated Nicole A. Cashman, Founder & CEO of Cashman & Associates.
There’s a compelling need for developing a network of diverse talent in the Greater Philadelphia region in the public relations and marketing sector, and by joining forces with the PABJ, students enrolled in the program will benefit from authentic relationship building with career professionals on both sides of the industry.
“We felt that by combining our collective strengths with those of Cashman & Associates, students would have the opportunity to gain a competitive advantage upon graduation by having a built-in network of media relationships, inclusive and accessible one-on-one training, and projects of distinction for their portfolio that showcase their learnings to prospective employers,” stated Ernest Owens, president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists.
The program will feature three Masterclass sessions per year with five student enrollees per session for a 30-day curriculum of best practices training, portfolio building exercises with one-on-one feedback from C&A leadership, networking opportunities, a small-group industry leadership Q&A panel, and one-on-one mentorship with the PABJ President, Ernest Owens, and the PABJ Board.
“This program is designed to be a driving force behind diversifying the talent pool of entry-level candidates in the region, which is one step of many toward cultivating opportunities for the workforce of the future in our respective fields,” states Michelle Conron, Vice President, Cashman & Associates and Masterclass leader. “We are dedicated to investing in the talent of tomorrow and we are confident this program will cultivate a diverse entry-level talent pool in the region and beyond.”
The PABJ will lead the efforts of recruiting, interviewing, and selecting students to participate in the Masterclass series, while C&A will spearhead the guided learning sessions and industry panel, which will feature a diverse group of well-respected members of the regional business community. Additionally, Cashman & Associates will sponsor each student enrolled in the Masterclass series for a one-year membership to the PABJ, along with other to-be-announced perks.
“Through this program, we will be able to make an impact on fifteen students per year – offering unprecedented access to building relationships with the local media through our members and training in public relations and marketing from one of the region’s most prestigious and well-respected agencies, combined with the network both our institutions bring. We are passionate about setting our students up for career success as they enter the workforce.” continued Owens.
The sessions will begin in 2021 and will be held on the following dates:
· February 24 – March 17, 2021
o Application and enrollment period December 15, 2020 – January 15, 2021
· June 9 – June 30, 2021
o Application and enrollment period April 15, 2021 – May 15, 2021
· October 15 – November 15, 2021
o Application and enrollment period August 15, 2021 – September 15, 2021
For more information on the Masterclass series or to apply, visit www.cashmanandassociates.com/masterclass.
