The Journey

It’s hard not to think about the different ways in which students age 13-35 in high school, college, trade school, a gap year program or entrepreneurial journey will shape the future. These generations encompass a creativity, hustle and innovative DNA that has changed the way we shop, live, work and eat. As we move forward there will be a need for more innovators, disruptors and leaders to fix problems and re-imagine the way we do things.

The motivation behind our existence…..

But how can we best support the leaders of tomorrow?

This is the question Carmen “Coach Carmen” Duncan set out to answer in 2011 when she began leading career readiness workshops then she incorporated Mission Accomplished Transition Services (Mission Accomplished) in 2012 as a nonprofit. Today we are a tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit community based organization.

Many people in this world have been fortunate enough to not have struggled. Some people have never experienced homelessness, violence and hunger. Yet, this was Carmen’s path. As a teenage girl she became a young woman who had to circumvent adverse circumstances with the help of family, friends, coaches and mentors who believed in her vision. Her life experiences inspired her to commit herself to “paying it forward” by offering a career education organization focused on social, racial and economic justice in the business world. She made it her mission to assure the company provides coaches and mentors who recognize the power of all rising young professionals and entrepreneurs, no matter their socioeconomic background. As a Black woman who has experienced blatant racism, classism and sexism in the workplace, she has a special place in her heart for rising Black and Brown young professionals and entrepreneurs and those from low – middle socioeconomic statuses.

Coach Carmen is incredibly passionate about helping people acknowledge their inherent skill sets then helping them develop new ones, improve their self-confidence and pursue their wildest dreams!

After 6 years of providing coaching and mentoring for young professionals and entrepreneurs with a desire to pursue or advance careers in any industry, in 2017 Coach Carmen and her team decided it’d be best to focus their time on becoming subject matter experts in fashion, construction, mural painting, interior design/decorating and the development of social enterprises.

The guiding principles behind what we do……..

Our career and small business development programs are influenced by the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework developed by the National Research Council and Institute for Medicine. “PYD is an approach that favors leadership and skill building opportunities” (Putting Positive Youth Development into Practice, 2007).

PYD encourages us to recognize and cultivate the existing skills, knowledge and experiences of  young professionals. Although this framework was designed for youth, we adapt it to ALL our programs and see it as a Positive Development framework.

By the completion of the coaching sessions students will have improved their ability to think critically, take initiative, have a vision for their future and prepared to take on leadership roles within the global workforce and their communities.

We bring the mission to life by believing everyone should have access to intentional career education that helps them reach their fullest potential. Through our industry specific learning communities, rising young professionals and entrepreneurs transform their lives. In particular, we focus on select industries, including fashion, construction, interior design and mural painting (where Black and Brown leaders are underrepresented).

Each career education program is small by design to ensure members of the Mission Accomplished Transition Services team as well as industry coaches and advisors better know the strengths, weaknesses, and needs of each student. The increased level of attention allows us to customize programming, foster a tight knit community, and serve as stronger, more in tune mentors, educators and role models. 

Classes are designed to inspire students to foster a supportive learning community by learning together while challenging each other to authentically and unapologetically prepare for their desired career path; event if people in their lives down play their journey.

All programs support:

• • personal growth
  • professional development and advancement
  • knowledge and skill application in real life career and business situations
  • career and small business exploration
  • opportunities to connect with respected industry professionals
  • connection to opportunities to be hired as apprentices, employees or consultants

Our carefully selected industry coaches and advisors, assist students with establishing and achieving measurable goals. During coaching sessions students gain clarity on next steps, their passion, their purpose, and develop confidence in their ability to lead their transition into the global workforce, higher education and a life of giving back.

Students who participate in our intensive teen or advanced institutes are paired with coaches who provide 1-on-1 coaching that challenges them to define the career(s) they want to pursue, who they are and how they want to show up in the world (brand identity), why they exist in this world and learn how to benefit from interdependent relationships with coaches, peers and mentors. Together, the students work  as a team to design a customized industry-specific action plan with clear goals, making the right connections and gaining access to opportunities that will lead to employment in their desired industry.

Our coaches are like sports coaches, they develop relationships with their “players”, provide instructions, assist with locating and connecting with resources then encourage them to get on the “field” and use their skills and knowledge to win the game of life.

The Mission Accomplished team serve as mentors who assist students with establishing preliminary goals before being paired with industry coaches and advisors while assisting them with navigating through their personal and professional lives.

Collectively, the coaches, advisors and mentors serve as sponsors by using our influence within our networks to give students access to influential people, meaningful careers and business opportunities and assist with all or some of the costs for professional development opportunities, equipment, and supplies.

At the core of our mission, we help students “MELC IIT”

“MELC IT” stands for:

Mobilize resources while learning to teach others

Employ and evaluate personal and professional goals

Lead by example

Create and apply innovative ideas

Initiate projects from start to finish

Invest in charitable organizations and projects

Take ownership of your destiny