Reflections on the DSM Fellowship Program Class of 2020-2022

Over the course of the past couple of years, myself and 22 other fellows from seven different Greater Des Moines (DSM) companies have been fortunate enough to take part in the DSM Fellowship Program. I feel fortunate that we work for companies that care about and invest in our futures and for the existence of the program.

You Get Out What You Put In

While there are capstone projects, social events and retreats, the staple of the program is the developmental sessions hosted by Tero International. These sessions have a variety of different focuses that could be applied to beyond your average workday. Our experience, given the pandemic, was very different than those who preceded us. In the virtual environment, it is easier to disengage, especially with day long developmental sessions regardless of how well it is structured and presented. Luckily Tero does a fantastic job of keeping regular engagement in the virtual setting. The content and structure are there, it is up to us whether it makes an impact.

Here are just a few of the topics we discussed, and events attended over the two years of programming:

• Annual Dinner
• Business Acumen
• Capstone Presentations: Cybersecurity, Child Care, Redlining and Zoning, Food Insecurity, Environmental Awareness
• DMDC Trip
• Influencing Others
• Improving Cultural Awareness
• Leadership Training and Focusing on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
• The Art of Delegation

The two-year program is just about over for our class, as graduation is set for late June of this year. I appreciate having time to reflect over the past couple of years with this blog. There have been a lot of changes since the kickoff session in September of 2020, both personally and professionally, but the DSM Fellowship program has been a constant. While the program is nearing its end, the lessons learned, and relationships created along the way will not.

Watch The Partnership's DSM Fellowship Program interview with me below:

 

Looking for opportunities as a young professional in Greater Des Moines (DSM)? The DSM Fellowship program is the preeminent professional development initiative attracting, developing and retaining a diverse community of top-tier graduates to the region. You can also connect with other young professionals and emerging leaders through Young Professionals Connection (YPC) events and committees.