Employers Rave About Forge Grads and Importance of Forge Program
Forge Grads Making Waves and Giving Forge a Good Name!
One of the wonderful things about Forge now having two full years under our belt is that we’ve been able to walk alongside and celebrate the accomplishments of a number of students who have graduated, entered the professional ranks, and started to really make their mark vocationally.
In this February e-newsletter, I thought you’d enjoy it if I highlighted the sterling reputation Forge has earned from conservative employers and elected officials needing to hire quality interns and key staff.
When we launched Forge, we believed that Forge would not only benefit individual lives of students and their families, but that it would also bless, enhance, and further the conservative movement as a whole and the ministries, organizations, and elected officials who comprise it.
We’ve already seen that come to pass! Organizations and officials alike tell us how grateful they are to have Forge – an organization that produces and helps them “vet” young talent. Forge has grown a strong reputation for developing and mentoring young people with real professional talent and passion and also real personal integrity, conviction, and work ethic.
If you’re an organization that fields hundreds of internship applications, and you need to separate the proverbial “wheat from the chaff,” the service Forge provides in being able to vouch for applicants is highly valued. If you’re an elected official who needs to hire an aide whom you know can handle a large workload and be trustworthy, having the recommendation of Forge is a great help.
Don’t just take my word for it! Here are testimonials from two of the employers who have hired Forge alumni and reaped the benefits:
Brandon J. Smith, Policy Director for Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, recently hired Forge grad Peter Burns. Brandon needed to hire a top-notch young conservative to join Governor Brownback’s team as a policy analyst and serve and assist Brandon with their policy, legislative, and administrative goals.
After working with Peter this last month, Brandon told me, “Absolutely a great hire, he’s been as good as advertised! I can see why Forge thinks so highly of him and why you recommended him so strongly. He’s been a great addition and not just me, but everyone in our office has been very impressed.”
Brandon also recognized the indispensable role Forge serves in the conservative movement. Brandon said,
“Forge is providing an invaluable service, building up the next generation of conservative leaders and public servants who are well prepared to take on the noble task of preserving our republic and creating a brighter future. Their efforts to help place graduates in positions where they can give back to their community is vital to growing the conservative movement.”
Rob Bluey, Editor-In-Chief of The Daily Signal and one of our national partners at The Heritage Foundation, also had rave reviews of the Forge Fellow he hired, first as an intern and now as a full-time employee in a very important position – Rachel Del Guidice. Rob stated,
“Forge is providing a tremendous service to the conservative movement. By building a farm team of future leaders, organizations like The Heritage Foundation have seen its benefits firsthand. One of Forge’s Fellows, Rachel del Guidice, interned at Heritage and quickly made her mark. Now, she’s part of our reporting team at The Daily Signal and she’s covering the biggest news stories happening in Congress. Thanks to Forge’s training, Rachel understands how the legislative process works and she’s prepared to take on the assignment. I hope future Forge Fellows follow the same path.”
(Neat backstory – Rob and The Daily Signal originally met Rachel through the featured story they ran about Forge back in 2015.)
I’m very thankful for the kind and powerful words Rob and Brandon shared. Like I told you earlier, it’s an absolute joy to see the Forge network in action, to see Forge Fellows and graduates making an immediate impact in the professions God has called them to influence.
With your help, in the years ahead, there will be hundreds, even thousands of graduates from Forge playing pivotal roles throughout our state and nation. Because of your support and partnership with Forge, everything from individual lives and families to our nation itself will be blessed by a generation of young servant leaders equipped with the skills for the tasks at hand and the heart and conviction for the larger causes and purposes they serve.
Know a Young Conservative Who Should Pursue The Life-Changing Networks and Opportunities that Only Forge Provides?
Please encourage them to APPLY for the 2017 Forge Leadership Summit TODAY!
With Gratitude for Your Support and Friendship,
