WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The Careerstone Group founders Mary Abbajay and Karen Bedell are redefining the way business organizations and Generation Y connect for a successful future. The newly formed professional development company is taking a creative approach to helping mentor and prepare young people for thriving careers.
"We understand that young people today do not face the workplace of their parents or grandparents. The days in which one got a job, paid his or her dues, and patiently climbed the career ladder are gone," said Careerstone Group co-founder, Mary Abbajay. "Today's young workers are likely to have between 10 to 15 jobs and make several career changes. It is clear to us that not only is the workplace evolving but the skills and resources necessary for this generation to compete are also evolving."
According to SHRM, a majority of HR professionals cite some lack of competency in new workers and 59% of organizations are preparing to offer increased job related skills training. Considering these issues, it seems that these two experts have developed a solution to fill a real void in the workplace. Their services have been well-received with clients in both the private sector and the federal government.
"The comprehensive training program that we underwent with Careerstone was specifically designed to address Generation Y," remarked Wendy Stoner, Director, United States General Services Administration's Financial Management Specialist Program. "With Careerstone's assistance we were able to address issues specific to this generation and align our new interns' expectations with organizational realities. The training we offer is an important part of our recruiting message and sets us apart as an employer. "
"Our products and services are designed to provide today's Generation Y with the support and guidance needed to get ahead in the working world," said Karen Bedell and Mary Abbajay co-founder of The Careerstone Group. "We understand the skills and sensibilities needed to achieve success. We work closely with organizations in every sector to develop and align young talent to organizational realities."
Among the services offered by The Careerstone Group to both businesses and individuals are coaching, professional development workshops, training and mentoring programs. The Careerstone Group has created unique programs designed to help young individuals create a vision, become aware of their existing skills and talents, develop goals, and learn the skills needed to be successful in life and work. The career skills and mentoring services are available to young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 who are just beginning to enter the "real working world."
"Careerstone's Generation Matters workshop received rave reviews from our attendees," said Mary Stevenson, Senior HR Specialist, USDA. "The information and strategies presented were very helpful in establishing perspectives and key motivators for managers of all generations. We were happy to leave the session with so many pragmatic tools at our disposal as a result of this workshop."
The workshops and information offered work well with long-term employees as well as interns as was experienced by the Washington Post.
"At The Washington Post it is important to us that our interns have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects and develop the skills to prepare them for future business challenges," said BJ Johnston, Senior Organizational Development Consultant, The Washington Post. "Careerstone's commitment to helping young people successfully make the transition from student to business professional helps us achieve our goal."
The two founders have spent their careers preparing for this opportunity. Mary Abbajay has more than 15 years experience as an entrepreneur, organizational development consultant and executive coach. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University's School of Management in Virginia and has taught several programs at both Montgomery College and the Georgetown University Center for Professional Development. She is also a regular panelist on Clear Channel radio's public affairs programs, "Women Talk" and the "Working Life" broadcast in the Washington, DC metro area. Abbajay earned a Bachelor's Degree in English from Kenyon College and a Master's Degree in Organizational Management from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara California. She is a graduate of Georgetown University's Organizational Development Program and the Coaches Training Institute.
Karen Bedell brings more than 20 years of business experience in both the United Kingdom and the United States to her work as a professional and executive coach. She spent 7 years in the staffing industry working on recruiting and retention best practices.
For the last six years Bedell has been a successful organizational and development consultant to both the federal and private sectors. Karen has a post-graduate degree in International Marketing Management from the University of Westminster and a Bachelor's Degree in English and American Literature from the University of Warwick. She is also a graduate of the Coaches Training Institute, and a certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator(R) practitioner. A mother of two young adults about to enter the workforce, she is acutely aware of the challenges and needs of this generation as it makes the transition from formal education into the world of work.
The Careerstone Group is comprised of organizational consultants, trainers, and coaches with years of experience working with organizations and businesses in the profit, not-for-profit, and government sectors. With a keen understanding of the skills and sensibilities needed to achieve success in today's working world, The Careerstone Group works closely with organizations in every sector. Their products and services are designed to provide the support and guidance needed to get ahead in the working world. To-date, The Careerstone Group clients include: United States General Services Administration, Ernst & Young, United States Department of Agriculture, the Washington Post, DC Department of Employee Services, and Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.
To learn more about The Careerstone Group's services, visit http://www.careerstonegroup.com/.
The Careerstone Group
