What does success after high school really look like? For students participating in last week’s Speed Mentoring event, the answer came in the form of fast-paced, face-to-face conversations with professionals from across Clermont County.
This engaging event—part of a collaborative effort between the Clermont Chamber of Commerce Work Readiness Initiative and local schools—offered students a chance to meet a diverse group of career mentors and community leaders. Throughout the day, students rotated in small groups through a series of mentor tables, spending seven minutes at each stop to gain insight into careers in business, government, public safety, education, the military, mental health, and more.
According to Austin Heller, Director of Membership Development at the Clermont Chamber of Commerce, the goal is clear: to help students explore their futures in a way that is practical, personal, and inspiring.
“We partner with community stakeholders who volunteer their time to speak with students about their industries and post-high school pathways,” said Heller. “We try to bring an array of businesses because, historically, college has always been seen as the defining marker of success for students, but I think we’re doing a great job of moving away from that idea because not every student needs to go to college to be successful. Their future might involve trade school, getting into a skilled trade, or something else entirely. So, we just try to make sure they have enough resources and tools to make the best decision as they move toward graduation.”
Heller noted that many of the mentors live and work in the same communities as the students—some even have children in the same schools. This creates not just a professional connection, but a personal one as well, reinforcing the idea that career success doesn’t have to mean moving far from home.
The event also lays the groundwork for future workforce partnerships. Companies like Milacron have donated equipment to local career centers, giving students the chance to train on real-world tools. Others, like Edward Jones, use events like Speed Mentoring to connect with and encourage future talent. These relationships help strengthen ties between education and the local economy.
“Most of the folks you see here are members of the Chamber,” Heller said. “And this is a program we’ve been running for over six years now. It’s grown because the feedback is overwhelmingly positive—both from the businesses and the students. Students hear about people who went to college thinking they’d be nurses, changed majors multiple times, and eventually found their calling in something totally different like finance or entrepreneurship.”
Ultimately, the message to students is simple: your future can start right here at home.
“Students don’t need to leave Clermont County to find success,” said Heller. “There are exciting, meaningful opportunities right here—and we want them to see that.”
Thank You to Our 2025 Spring Speed Mentoring Partners:
Cinfed Credit Union
KEMBA Credit Union Inc.
Miami Township Fire & EMS
Miami Township Government
OhioMeansJobs – Clermont County / CCMEP
U.S. Army
U.S. Navy
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)
Edward Jones – Mark Hoffman
Cushman & Wakefield
Snowie Shaved Ice
Vartek Services, Inc.
Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services
Senter Counseling Services, LLC
West Clermont Local School District
Hamilton County ESC
Leadership & Interpersonal Skills Mentors
Biggby Coffee – Eastgate