Union Home Mortgage supports new BW 'Career Studio' and Peer Career Mentors

As Union Home Mortgage Corp. grows its Northeast Ohio presence, the company is also expanding its partnership with Baldwin Wallace University with an eye on talent development for the region.

The centerpiece of the stepped-up collaboration is the establishment of the Union Home Mortgage (UHM) Career Studio within the BW Career Center and a new BW Peer Career Advisor (PCA) program.

The company has generously committed to a long-term investment of financial resources to support the new program, along with expertise and mentoring, and on-campus recruiting for internships and full-time employment.

Growing and powerful collaboration

"I grew up in Bedford, I founded a company in Strongsville, so you better believe I am invested in the success of Northeast Ohio," said Bill Cosgrove, president & CEO of Union Home Mortgage. "We understand clearly the value of practical experience and training to give young people the tools they need to excel in their careers and create a powerful economic ecosystem right here in the Greater Cleveland region."

"We are so grateful for the support of Union Home Mortgage. Working with corporate leaders like Bill Cosgrove helps BW to fulfill our commitment to support the success of both our students and our region's economy," said BW President Bob Helmer. "Our growing collaboration with Union Home Mortgage is a prime example of the power in these partnerships to propel Northeast Ohio forward."

One-Stop Career Shop

Serving as a one-stop-shop for career development needs, the UHM Career Studio will provide a space for BW students to integrate experiences outside of the classroom - internships, on-campus jobs or community service - with their classroom education.

"The UHM Career Studio will be a dynamic, welcoming space where students can simply decompress and take a break or engage in personal and career exploration and receive help in designing a meaningful career path, as well as in developing life-long career management skills," explained Patrick Keebler, director of BW Career Center.

Staff-Supported Peer Mentoring

Because students can be welcoming and invaluable resources for each other, a group of Peer Career Advisors (PCAs) will help staff the new UHM Career Studio.

Keebler says the PCAs will be "carefully selected and highly trained" to support fellow students with resume and cover letter review, interview preparation, job and internship searches, networking and creating professional digital networking profiles. BW Career Center professional staff will always be available to help when needed.

The PCA role provides multiple benefits: students can access peer support in an informal and casual environment, PCAs develop leadership skills and employers, like UHM, have access to a pool of polished prospective employees who communicate effectively and present themselves confidently.

"Peer-led, drop-in career advising not only reaches more students but also cultivates a collective attitude about career readiness that will serve students long after they graduate," Keebler says. "We are grateful to Union Home Mortgage for providing such a generous gift to support the work of our new Peer Career Advisors as they carry out this important work."

Expanding influence

Union Home Mortgage, which recently announced a planned expansion in Strongsville that is expected to create 450 new jobs, was founded in 1970 with a commitment to putting people first."Driven by the belief that homeownership should be accessible for everyone" and a commitment to world-class customer service, Union Home Mortgage has expanded its reach to more than 40 states and the District of Columbia.