Building pathways in media: Emma Bowen Foundation students connect with Bloomberg mentors

The biggest barrier young people face when exploring fields like media, technology, and finance isn’t talent. It’s often a lack of access to networks and industry advice. To help bridge this gap, Bloomberg’s year-round mentoring programs connect young people with professionals who offer practical insight and help them see career possibilities they may not have known existed.

Recently, Bloomberg mentors from our News and Media departments welcomed college students from the Emma Bowen Foundation for an inside look into pathways to a career in media. The evening, part of Bloomberg’s Your Path, Your Future program, marked the culmination of EBF’s eight-week mentorship program, which pairs future media professionals with Bloomberg employees for one-on-one conversations, skill-building, and support. Mentors offered guidance on career paths, resumes and interviews, and navigating the media industry.

Building access through long-term partnerships

Bloomberg works with the Emma Bowen Foundation and other non-profit partners around the world to expand professional networks and open meaningful career pathways. For more than 36 years, EBF has placed promising students in internships with leading media, entertainment, and technology companies. At the in-person event, designed with young people at the center, participants joined icebreakers, toured Bloomberg’s newsroom and TV studios, and connected directly with employees to learn about real career journeys.

“Having spent an incredible afternoon with our Bloomberg partners reminds me that mentorship isn’t just about opening doors – it’s about walking through them together. Our event confirmed that providing mentorship and access still matters and our future is in good hands. Grateful for the brilliant students who showed up eager to learn, and for the savvy professionals who continue to invest in the next generation of talent,” said Nikki Bethel, President and CEO, Emma Bowen Foundation.

This collaboration is part of Bloomberg’s broader global commitment to investing in the next generation through programs like Your Path, Your Future, and Bloomberg Finance Pathways which help young people build networks and gain candid insights into industries where Bloomberg has deep expertise in technology, data, news, and finance.

Across these efforts, Bloomberg employees are, to quote Nancy Cutler who leads Corporate Philanthropy for the Americas at Bloomberg, empowering “young people to see what’s possible” and “connecting them with the people and experiences that can help them get there.”

Momentum powered by employee engagement

Since its inception earlier this year, more than 100 Bloomberg employees have participated in Your Path, Your Future, offering candid career and life advice to nearly 500 young aspiring professionals. The recent EBF student visit built on that momentum and on Bloomberg’s commitment to expanding access to careers in media and journalism through mentorship and community engagement.

“Working with an Emma Bowen Foundation scholar was invigorating, as it pushed me to consider the challenges of entering today’s job market in media and news. Together, we refined her resume and elevator pitch. I wanted to ensure we demonstrated a very Bloomberg News maxim which is “show-don’t-tell” your skills and experience. The program left me hopeful about the future of our industry and reminded me why this kind of mentorship matters,” said Sonali Pathirana, Bloomberg Managing Editor, Internship Program and Entry-Level Talent for News in the Americas and UK.

The lasting value of mentorship

Your Path, Your Future creates space for mentors to share the stories and advice they would have wanted when they were beginning their careers. These conversations often focus on the unwritten rules of the workplace, the best ways to build a professional network, and practical advice essential for young people who lack existing industry connections.

“This program helped me clarify my career goals and understand what I want to do after graduation and throughout my career. It also assured me that I am doing my best and that I should be more compassionate with myself, and that everyone is here to help; it’s just a matter of making it known that you need help. Overall, this mentorship was very insightful and transformative!” said Eman, EBF Scholar and City College of New York student.

Most people can point to at least one person who encouraged them or helped them take the next step. That’s the power of mentorship. It builds confidence, deepens knowledge, and offers guidance young professionals often can’t access on their own. Mentors also gain something meaningful: personal fulfillment and a strengthened capacity for leadership. When you consider mentorship’s broader benefit to society, it’s clear why Bloomberg has remained so deeply committed to this triangle of social good.

As we mark Mentoring Month, Bloomberg is proud to highlight mentoring programs like Your Path, Your Future that expand access and support early career growth. Together, they reflect our ongoing commitment to community, collaboration and the next generation of leaders, including the journalists and media creators who will shape how stories are told.