Meyocks Mentorship Program Celebrates Five Years of Fostering Emerging Talent

Some opportunities change the trajectory of a career before it even begins.

Five years ago, Meyocks launched a mentorship program to help students build professional connections and explore careers in marketing communications.

“The goal was to create a pathway for students who haven’t yet had any industry experience or exposure to an agency,” says Kendra Kelly, chief operations officer at Meyocks. For some students, factors like finances, work obligations or other circumstances can limit access to early career opportunities. We wanted to help bridge that gap.”

Since 2022, more than 25 students have participated in the week-long program. What started as a pilot partnership with Northwest Missouri State University has grown to include Des Moines Area Community College, Iowa State University and the University of Iowa.

Meyocks works closely with faculty and academic programs to identify students who would benefit from the experience. The result is a cohort of students with diverse backgrounds, areas of study and career interests, each bringing a different perspective to the program.

Built Around People, Not Resumes

From the beginning, mentorship has been the foundation of the experience.

Each student is paired with a Meyocks team member who serves as a mentor before, during and after the program. Throughout the week, students participate in immersive sessions exploring the collaborative disciplines behind agency work — from strategy and storytelling to media, analytics and client relations.

While the curriculum and agency exposure are valuable, one of the most meaningful outcomes has been something less expected: the camaraderie students build with each other.

Students arrive from different schools and backgrounds, often not knowing anyone else in the cohort. By the end of the week, they leave with new friendships and professional connections that continue long after the program ends.

“It’s really neat to watch them bond so quickly,” Kelly shares. “You see them encouraging each other, staying connected on LinkedIn and celebrating each other’s internships and career milestones. Whether those relationships are lifelong or simply benefit them as they begin their careers, that kind of connection can make a real difference.”

The program has also created opportunities within Meyocks. What began as leadership-led sessions has expanded to include team members across the agency, giving employees the chance to strengthen their presentation, storytelling and mentorship skills while sharing their expertise with future industry professionals.

In many ways, the students’ curiosity and enthusiasm bring renewed energy to the agency.

“Their excitement and eagerness to learn is contagious,” Kelly adds. “Seeing students grow more confident and engaged throughout the program is really rewarding for our team.”

Leaving a Lasting Impact

At the conclusion of the Meyocks Mentorship Program, students are invited to present to the agency what they learned throughout the week and how the experience has shaped their understanding of the industry and their individual career paths.

“Often in their presentations, the students talk about what they see in our team members, our commitment to our clients and the care we bring to our craft,” Kelly says. “I’m always really proud of the agency when I see our cultural values reflected back in the student presentations.”

Over the past five years, some mentorship applicants have gone on to intern and eventually work full-time at Meyocks. Others have carried the experience into internships and careers across marketing, communications and business, using it as a foundation for their professional growth.

For Kelly, that long-term impact is exactly the point.

“We care about our work and our clients more than one reasonably could expect,” Kelly explains. “That extends to the future of our industry, too. Our mentorship program is one way we demonstrate that.”

If we want to carry that legacy forward — how we think about the work we do and why it matters — it starts with creating meaningful ways for the next generation to learn, connect and grow.”