Guiding Growth + Inspiring Futures

Next Generation Workforce is a non-profit organization that connects exceptional students in animation, visual effects, and gaming with industry mentors to enhance their portfolios and career prospects through personalized guidance and support.

Our Mission

A powerful mentorship can be a transformative force in a person's career, providing guidance, insight, and opportunity that shapes their future success. At Next Generation Workforce (NGW), we recognize the profound impact that experienced mentors can have on emerging talents in the fields of animation, visual effects, and gaming. Our mission is to bridge the gap between academic achievement and professional readiness by connecting exceptional senior students, recommended by their professors, with seasoned industry veterans.

Over a six-month mentorship period, these industry professionals offer personalized guidance, helping students enhance their portfolios, resumes, and job prospects. Beyond technical skills, NGW is committed to equipping students with the professional demeanor, acumen, and expertise necessary to excel in a competitive environment.  By fostering these critical skills and connections, NGW aims to prepare the next generation of visual effects and animation professionals to thrive and make a significant impact in their careers.

Areas of Study

Animation

The animation industry focuses on producing moving images through various techniques, including traditional hand-drawn methods, computer-generated imagery, and stop-motion, to create engaging visual stories and experiences. Working in animation allows you to bring creative visions to life, employing innovative techniques to craft captivating characters and narratives that push the envelope of visual artistry.

Gaming

The gaming industry encompasses the design, development, and production of interactive digital entertainment experiences, including video games, that combine art, storytelling, and technology to captivate and challenge players. A career in gaming is an exhilarating journey into interactive entertainment, where you can be at the forefront of designing and developing immersive experiences that engage and challenge players worldwide.

Visual Effects

The visual effects industry involves the creation of realistic or imaginative imagery and environments that enhance live-action footage or generate entirely new scenes, often using advanced technology and computer graphics. Careers in the visual effects industry offer the chance to push the boundaries of imagination, using cutting-edge technology to create breathtaking visual elements that transform storytelling.

The Importance of Mentorship

In today's dynamic and ever-evolving digital content creation and visual effects industry, a blend of both technical and creative skills is essential for successfully navigating the path forward. For those who are just starting out and seeking guidance, having a mentor is an invaluable resource for learning the best strategies to accomplish this. So, what is a mentor? A mentor is an experienced professional in the desired field who is willing to share their knowledge to help others achieve their goals. Ideally, a mentor will have attained the level of success the mentee aspires to and will be able to challenge and push them in ways others cannot.

To maximize the success of this relationship, mentees should approach it with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to putting in the required effort. For mentors, the most critical element is offering valuable insight, guidance, and networking opportunities, while demonstrating care and understanding for the mentee.

Why is mentorship important? Establishing a mentorship relationship can provide mentees with significant advantages, such as new knowledge, expanded networks, and the ability to advance their careers. Having a mentor is more than just setting and achieving goals; it's about having someone who can provide valuable feedback, encouragement, and support to help the mentee grow both professionally and personally.

Much like any relationship, a mentor-mentee connection thrives on mutual effort. The foundation for a successful mentor-mentee relationship includes:

  • Mutual Respect: Both parties value each other’s time, experiences, and boundaries.

  • Clear Goals: Defined objectives guide the relationship, providing direction and focus.

  • Effective Communication: Open, honest, and regular communication is essential for progress.


  • Commitment: Both mentor and mentee prioritize the relationship, dedicating time and effort.


  • Trust and Confidentiality: A safe space for sharing insights, challenges, and feedback without fear.


  • Active Engagement: The mentee actively seeks guidance, while the mentor provides consistent support.


  • Growth-Oriented Mindset: Both parties are focused on learning and personal or professional development.


Instructors

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Funders

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