Grad2Hire

What is Grad2Hire?

Grad2Hire is a cohort-based, immersive career launchpad for soon to-be or recent college grads.

The program's mission is to expand educational and economic opportunity by providing career readiness education, professional development, mentorship, and workforce transition support to recent college graduates, particularly those whose potential have historically been overlooked and underestimated, helping them successfully transition into careers.

Career Readiness Essentials: 6-week bootcamp to learn to effectively navigate your job search, build your network, and explore careers in high demand sectors/professions.

Hands-on Projects: Enhance your portfolio and build skills employers are looking for with our industry-aligned Capstone Challenge.

Mock Interview Festival: Sharpen your interviewing skills with feedback from actual recruiters and hiring managers.

Premium Networking Opportunities: Attend an industry conference to connect directly with industry leaders, mentors, and job opportunities.

Connect to Jobs: Get referred for full-time roles or a Fellowship to gain meaningful work experience.

Launch your career with confidence!

Are you a company interested in hiring our graduates? Let's Partner!

Want to join us to uplift young talent? Donate to support our trainees!

Available Industry Tracks

Risk Management & Insurance (RMI)

Careers in risk management or the insurance industry are meaningful, stable, and pay well, but you've probably never considered them. So, let's explore!

Other Industry Tracks - Working on it!

FALL 2026 APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED

Winter 2027 cohort applications will open in December 2026.

METROHARTFORD ALLIANCE PARTNERSHIP

We are thrilled to partner with the MetroHartford Alliance for our Fall 2026 Grad2Hire cohort. Together, we are giving Trainees exclusive industry access, invaluable networking opportunities, and direct pipelines to leading employers.

Matching Scholarship

Receive a matching scholarship to participate in Grad2Hire for Fall 2026!

Attend Industry Networking Events

Attend Insuring the Future Summit and exclusive company tour and job search workshops hosted by The Hartford in Hartford, CT. FREE WITH TRAVEL STIPEND.

Learn more about MetroHartford Alliance.

Direct Path to Opportunities

Get world-class professional and networking skills training with real opportunities to practice it for direct job opportunities.

what Grad2Hire trainees are saying

[L]anded a role 30 days later!

The program helped me become more confident and intentional

[W]hat I gained went far beyond the practical

"I highly recommend new grads to apply! I completed Linda's program that helped sharpen my resume skills and landed a role 30 days later!"

~Mari (University of Maine)

[W]hat I gained went far beyond the practical

The program helped me become more confident and intentional

[W]hat I gained went far beyond the practical

"[W]hat I gained went far beyond the practical. I learned how to truly see myself in the workplace. I learned what it means to communicate with clarity and purpose. I learned how to carry myself in rooms where I once felt unsure, and how to turn uncertainty into curiosity instead of fear."

Check out Joy's detailed reflection on the program!

~Joy (Worcester State University)

The program helped me become more confident and intentional

"The program helped me become more confident and intentional. I improved my resume, LinkedIn profile, portfolio, website, and elevator pitch. More importantly, I developed the courage to contact professionals, ask for what I need, and build relationships instead of waiting for opportunities to come to me."

Check out Tanya's reflections!

~Tanya (Bethune-Cookman University)

It truly feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity

The program helped me become more confident and intentional

"It truly feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity, especially since this level of support usually doesn’t exist after graduation, you’re often on your own once you have that diploma."

~Kateryna (Bellevue College)

This fellowship program is truly special

It truly feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity

Incredibly beneficial and rewarding experience

"This fellowship program is truly special, and it has opened up new possibilities, perspectives, and opportunities for me. Your dedication to expanding career visibility, supporting international students, and connecting us with such inspiring professionals is something I deeply admire."

~Pooja (St. John's University)

Incredibly beneficial and rewarding experience

It truly feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity

Incredibly beneficial and rewarding experience

"The Grad2Hire program with Linda was an incredibly beneficial and rewarding experience for my career going forward, and it helped instill a sense of confidence in me that I needed."

~Atish (University of Michigan)

I would highly recommend Grad2Hire

felt human and not merely a checklist nor merely money-grabbing

"Overall, the program has helped me build confidence in communicating my skills, networking with professionals, and navigating the job search process more strategically. I would highly recommend Grad2Hire to any graduates or soon-to-be graduates."

~Abby (WGU)

felt human and not merely a checklist nor merely money-grabbing

"I did a Quantitative Finance boot camp prior [to] this. I paid about 10x more, and technically I should have been more competitive and skilled for that role, yet i felt far less supported there...I do appreciate all the checks-ins [and] celebrations from both Linda and Allie, which felt human and not merely a checklist nor merely money-grabbing."

~Bryce (CSU Los Angeles)

Check Out Our Google Reviews!

felt human and not merely a checklist nor merely money-grabbing

Check Out Our Google Reviews!

More Reviews

How Grad2hire works

Career Launcher Bootcamp

Build Your Network. Join a Community

Hands-on Projects & Activities

Participate in a 6-week virtual bootcamp to prepare to launch your career.

Career Skills: build career skills (e.g., resume, interviewing)
Professional Skills: master soft skills (e.g., communications, professional behaviors)
Discover careers in sectors/professions that need your talent!

Hands-on Projects & Activities

Build Your Network. Join a Community

Hands-on Projects & Activities

Practice skills that employers value and highlight them on your resume and in interviews!

Mock Interview Festival: hone your interview skills and get honest feedback from working professionals.
Capstone Challenge: work in teams to present solutions to industry challenges to industry leaders.
Lead and moderate a session with guest speakers to hone leadership and communications skills

Build Your Network. Join a Community

Launch your career with a community of peers and mentors there to uplift you.

Professional Networking: don't just learn networking, practice it with our exclusive network of LiftHER mentors.
Career Insight: engage with guest speakers providing the insider insights you need to stand out.
Community: join a squad of peers that provide the collective accountability and momentum to keep you going!

Launch Your Career with Confidence

Build Your Network. Join a Community

After bootcamp, get referred for full time roles or a Fellowship lasting up to 6 months.

Get referred for roles that are a fit to boost your chances of being seen
Gain resume-boosting experience with a Fellowship
Receive ongoing career coaching and mentorship to ensure success

Our Professional Skills Partner

We are so pleased to be partnering with LifeHikes Foundation to deliver the Professional Skills portion of the Grad2Hire Program!

About LifeHikes Foundation

LifeHikes Foundation is committed to advancing sustainable professional and personal development in historically underserved communities. We proudly collaborate with LifeHikes® Inc., a globally recognized training organization founded by visionary Bill Hoogterp. Through our interactive and human-centered training programs, we empower individuals to communicate with clarity, confidence, and empathy—skills that are essential for fostering trust, inspiring action, and sustaining long-term community impact.

Key Dates and Eligibility

Key Dates

Grad2Hire Fall 2026 Cohort

Applications Open: July 2026
Selected Participants Notified: Rolling
Career Launcher Bootcamp: September 21, 2026 to October 30, 2026
Insuring the Future Summit: October 29, 2026

To be eligible, the applicant must be:

A recent graduate or student completing their final year of Bachelors or higher degree program
Interested in exploring careers in Risk Management and Insurance
Able to commit 6 hours per week for the Career Launcher Bootcamp. All sessions will be virtual.
Able to attend the Insuring the Future Summit in Hartford, CT on October 29, 2026.
For Fall 2026 cohort: interested in starting their career in Connecticut

Check out the high-level schedule.

Note: completion of bootcamp does not guarantee a Fellowship placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at hello@lifthercareer.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Are opportunities only in Risk Management & Insurance?

Most of the opportunities, either full-time roles that we refer you for or the Fellowship, will be related to Risk Management and Insurance. However, it is not exclusive. We have referred students for careers in financial services, consulting, tech, HR, and other areas.

Our aim is to help you launch your career! If there are opportunities in other areas that are a fit and we can refer you, we absolutely will!

What's the Commitment Fee to participate in Grad2Hire?

Due to the generosity of our partners and supporters, for the Fall 2026 cohort, all trainees will receive a matching scholarship to participate in the Grad2Hire program.

Selected trainees for the Fall 2026 cohort invest a $225 Commitment Fee (standard is $450) to participate in the Grad2Hire career launcher program.

When you enroll in Grad2Hire, we make a commitment to help you build critical career management and professional skills while exploring careers and preparing for your next step. Unlike other similar programs that charge thousands of dollars, we don't believe in gouging people when they're already vulnerable. However, we do want to ensure you are equally committed to getting the most out of the program.

Our Commitment to You: If you complete the program in full and haven't secured at least one interview within 6 months of completing the program and are still actively job seeking, you may request a refund. We believe in our program—and your potential—enough to back it up.

Do I still have to interview for the Fellowship?

Yes, candidates will interview with employer hosts for the paid Fellowship. The decision to interview or offer the Fellowship to you is completely up to the employer host.

What if I can't afford the Commitment Fee?

We believe every new graduate deserves access to high-quality career guidance and the support necessary to launch a successful career. Please reach out to us at hello@lifthercareer.com to discuss potential options.

GRAD2HIRE: supporting you FROM GRADUATION TO CAREER

What is Grad2Hire?

Available Industry Tracks

METROHARTFORD ALLIANCE PARTNERSHIP

Matching Scholarship

Attend Industry Networking Events

Direct Path to Opportunities

Our Impact

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Where our alums have secured roles

Join us to uplift young talent

what Grad2Hire trainees are saying

[L]anded a role 30 days later!

The program helped me become more confident and intentional

[W]hat I gained went far beyond the practical

[W]hat I gained went far beyond the practical

The program helped me become more confident and intentional

[W]hat I gained went far beyond the practical

The program helped me become more confident and intentional

The program helped me become more confident and intentional

The program helped me become more confident and intentional

It truly feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity

It truly feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity

The program helped me become more confident and intentional

This fellowship program is truly special

It truly feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity

Incredibly beneficial and rewarding experience

Incredibly beneficial and rewarding experience

It truly feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity

Incredibly beneficial and rewarding experience

I would highly recommend Grad2Hire

felt human and not merely a checklist nor merely money-grabbing

felt human and not merely a checklist nor merely money-grabbing

felt human and not merely a checklist nor merely money-grabbing

felt human and not merely a checklist nor merely money-grabbing

felt human and not merely a checklist nor merely money-grabbing

Check Out Our Google Reviews!

felt human and not merely a checklist nor merely money-grabbing

Check Out Our Google Reviews!

How Grad2hire works

Career Launcher Bootcamp

Build Your Network. Join a Community

Hands-on Projects & Activities

Hands-on Projects & Activities

Build Your Network. Join a Community

Hands-on Projects & Activities

Build Your Network. Join a Community

Build Your Network. Join a Community

Build Your Network. Join a Community

Launch Your Career with Confidence

Build Your Network. Join a Community

Build Your Network. Join a Community

What you can expect

Check out our LinkedIn posts to see our program in action!

Our Professional Skills Partner

Companies and Organizations Supporting our work

Key Dates and Eligibility

Key Dates

To be eligible, the applicant must be:

Want to learn more?

Frequently Asked Questions

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