career center

2nd Annual Grupo 21 Professional Development Bootcamp

🎯 Now Accepting Applications!
For College Students & Young Professionals

📍 Ana G. Méndez University – Carolina Campus (Amphitheater)
📍 PR-190, Carolina, Puerto Rico

📅 Wednesday, November 5, 2025
🕖7:00 AM – 1:30 PM ET (In-Person)
🖥️8:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET (Virtual) 

🌟 Empowering the Next Generation of Puerto Rican & Underrepresented Talent

Grupo 21 invites you to the 2nd Annual Professional Development Bootcamp, a premier career-launching event designed to equip students and young professionals with the tools, insights, and connections to thrive in public service and beyond. Whether in Puerto Rico or stateside, this is your chance to:

• Build your personal brand
• Boost your résumé
• Connect with top employers
• Identify potential mentors
• Learn from influential leaders across multiple sectors  

🎯 Bootcamp Goals

• Host and train 200 in-person and 1,000+ virtual participants
• Add 300+ résumés to the Grupo 21 Resume Bank
• Increase the number of Puerto Rican & underrepresented students securing      internships, fellowships, and government jobs
• Connect participants with federal and state agencies, corporate employers,     nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations

💼 What You’ll Gain as an Attendee

• Career-readiness workshops
• 1-on-1 networking with recruiters & leaders (in-person)
• Exclusive job, internship & fellowship opportunities
• Résumé and interview coaching
• Entry into a professional community invested in your success
• All at NO COST to accepted applicants

📋 Application Requirements – In-Person Track

1. Completed Application Package in English

• 📝 Résumé (1-page max)
• 📹 Video Statement (2 minutes maximum): Please introduce yourself, explain your interest in the program, and confirm your availability for the full schedule.
• ✉️ Two Letters of Recommendation:
  • Students:  1 from a professor, 1 from a supervisor, employer, or       community/business/faith leader
  • Young Professionals: 1 from a supervisor/employer, 1 from a       community/business/faith leader
• 🔗 LinkedIn Profile (To be included on résumé)

2. Program Requirements

• Attend the half-day in-person Bootcamp plus pre- and post-event webinars
• Follow Grupo 21’s conduct policies

3. Who May Apply

• GPA of 3.0+ preferred (exception for impactful achievement stories)
• Evidence of leadership skills and potential
• Commitment to public service activities
• Strong analytical, oral & written communication skills
• Students must be currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate      program (college/university must appear in résumé & video)
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, asylees, or international students with a valid visa

4. Selection Process

• Highly competitive, limited in-person spots
• Applications reviewed by the Grupo 21 selection committee
• Chosen based on the quality of application package – no interviews

NOTE: Virtual participants do not need to apply to benefit from the workshops. They can simply join the Facebook Live session at https://www.facebook.com/Grupo21.org). However, the networking meal functions, 1:1 interactions, mentorship opportunities, and certificate of successful completion are reserved for the in-person attendees.

📧 Deadline for Applications:
Submit by Friday, September 19, 2025 – 11:59 PM ET to grupo21events@gmail.com
Use the subject line: 2nd Grupo 21 Bootcamp Application
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. 

🗓️ Bootcamp Agenda

In-Person (7:00 AM – 1:30 PM ET)

• 7:00 AM – Registration
• 7:30 AM – Networking Breakfast
• 8:30 AM – Welcome Ceremony
• 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM– Career Development Workshops
• 12:30 PM – Networking Lunch & Closing

Virtual (8:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET)

• Live workshop sessions

Workshop Topics

• Landing Your Dream Job – Dos & Don’ts
• Résumé 101
• Using Social Media for Career Growth
• Networking & Professional Advancement
• Internships & Fellowships Roundtable
• Dressing for the Job You Want

💻 Pre & Post-Bootcamp Webinars (All Attendees)

 Wed., Oct 22 - 6:00 to 7:30 PM - Understanding Your Behavioral Style

 Wed., Oct 29 - 6:00 to 7:00 PM - Navigating USAJOBS

 Wed., Nov 19 - 6:00 to 7:00 PM - From Intern to Employee & Beyond

 Wed., Dec 3 - 6:00 to 7:00 PM - Capitol Hill & Congressional District Jobs

 Wed., Dec 10 - 6:00 – 7:00 PM - Mastering the Interview Process + Virtual Bootcamp   Completion Ceremony

 Dec. 15–19 - Bootcamp Completion Certificates sent via email to program attendees who were accepted to the In-Person Program

🎙️ 2024 Recap & 2025 Outlook

Last year’s bootcamp featured:

• Speakers from 14 U.S. Government Agencies
• Corporate & nonprofit leaders from PR & stateside
• Entrepreneurs & changemakers

2024 Notable Speakers Included: Hon. Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education • Amb. Mari Carmen Aponte • Amb. Carmen Cantor • Richard “Crazy Legs” Colón, Actor and American B-boy • José Méndez Méndez, President, Universidad Ana G. Méndez • Dr. Waleska Crespo, President, Universidad Central del Caribe • José Piñero, Fortune 500 Career Coach • Nellie Gorbea, Former Rhode Island Secretary of State • Evelyn De Jesus, EVP, American Federation of Teachers • Pedro Zorilla, EVP, MCS • and 30+ others

🤝 Sponsorship & Co-Host Opportunities

2025 Co-Hosts
Grupo 21 • ALPFA Puerto Rico • Cámara de Comercio de Puerto Rico • Centro para Puerto Rico de la Fundación Sila M. Calderón • Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute • Cordova Alumni Association • C.R.O.E.M. Alumni • Facultad de Derecho Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico • Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino • Hispanic Heritage Foundation • SOMOS, Inc. • Universidad Central del Caribe

2025 Venue Host: Universidad Ana G. Méndez – Gold 

2025 Media Partner: To be announced soon.

2025 Sponsors (In Formation): 

· ASORE – Gold

· Amelia Consulting Group – Bronze

Sponsor Benefits:

• Branding on marketing materials
• Onsite recognition at Bootcamp (11/5) & Puerto Rico Reception & Bridge Building Awards (11/6)
• Access to 300+ in-person & 1,000+ virtual attendees
• Speaker/panel opportunities (subject to availability)
• On-site recruitment opportunities
• Invitation to Grupo 21’s 4th Annual Puerto Rico Reception & Bridge Building Awards

💡 Don’t Miss Out!

Whether you’re launching your career, exploring public service, or expanding your network—this Bootcamp is for you.

📩 Apply by Friday, September 19, 2025: grupo21events@gmail.com (Subject: 2nd Grupo 21 Bootcamp Application)
📩Orientation Webinar: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 – 6 PM ET
Register: Facebook Event Link

🌐 Learn more: www.grupo21.org

Grupo 21 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 

All communications are educational and nonpartisan.