Black & Veatch and Operation Breakthrough: Building Futures Together

Mentorship takes commitment, and that is exactly what is being given by the professionals at Black & Veatch. Operation Breakthrough’s Ignition Lab is our high school-age STEM program that provides real-world learning and promotes career readiness. In pursuit of this, we have partnered with Black & Veatch to provide one-on-one mentoring, among other amazing programs. 

This past January marked the start of the second year of the BV:OB mentorship program. During its pilot year, we had the opportunity to learn and observe the successes and pain points of adult:teen mentorship.  

Alongside Black and Veatch’s dedicated team of mentors, we determined what structural changes would improve the program. For example, a stronger emphasis on soft skills, student-selected involvement, sharing a meal, and providing learning questions for moments when conversation stalls into the classic teen, one-word answer. One of the most profound changes was opening the age range to include high school freshmen and sophomores (not just juniors and seniors). This shift aligns with what Operation Breakthrough exhibits on all levels: start early.  

Once the scaffolding for the program was in place, it was time for the mentors to take action. In this case, the action of simply sitting, fully present, and ready to listen. Which is one of the most gracious gifts mentors give. Chatting with youth from Kansas City’s urban core is not a part of their job description, which makes their dedication that much more inspiring. 

This experience is best understood through the perspective of the student participants. New to the program, Stevie H., a sophomore, jumped at the chance to build her professional network and learn more about law careers with her mentor, who has extensive legal experience. This dynamic pair was the first to participate in our soft skills presentations. During which, they shared the importance of professionalism. Stevie is a part of the Product Design lab, but her true passion lies in all things legal. Her mentor, among others, is one who has joined the program but is not an engineer, displaying BV’s commitment to fostering each student's interests. The goal is not to turn everyone into engineers; the goal is to show students that no matter what industry they are interested in, that role likely exists within engineering companies. Stevie said, “I feel really great about it [the program] because I feel like I can talk to [my mentor] about what law is in a work field.” Stevie went on to share that she appreciates that her mentor is knowledgeable about the versatility of law.

Stevie and her mentor are just one example of the benefits. This program, much like mentorship itself, is a living organism. With each meeting and event, the BV mentors reflect on how they are showing up and what value they can bring to each student’s unique interests, personal challenges, and academic goals. There is nothing static about the level of intention Black & Veatch is giving to our students. In this second year, we have seen attendance and participation double. 

Mentorship veteran Javion F. has been a part of the program since its inception in December 2024 and is stepping into the new year with his mentor, Trevor. Javion described his experience, “We have been talking a ton, well, I have, and he is sitting there listening. It's exhilarating; he knows where I am coming from. He works in engineering and construction, just like I want to…I be forgetting it's an hour long.” He went on to say he is absolutely excited to stay in the program. Javion has a passion for engineering, which he cultivated in our Mechatronics lab. Now, through the mentorship program, he gets to connect with engineers in meaningful ways that inform his career decisions and development. 

Sophomore, Gael O. shared his experience with his mentor, “[He] is a pretty cool guy… It's nice to have someone with a good ear." Gael is interested in voice acting, and while his mentor doesn’t know much about it, he provides Gael the space to share his passion. They both share an interest in reading and have read some of the same authors. Small connections like this build trust, the foundation required for impactful mentorship. Gael does fabrication, welding, wiring, and automotive in our partnership lab, MINDDRIVE. 

“Its pretty nice, I have been having a great time talking to [him]” said Devin M., a junior who has an interest in electrical engineering. He described his experience with Black & Veatch as educational. Ever since Devin’s first event with BV, he has eagerly volunteered for any and every opportunity. 

What’s beautiful about this program is that it is more than a once-monthly meeting; it prepares students for the yearly Black & Veatch Hackathon, provides the opportunity to visit BV’s headquarters, and gives students the chance to improve their confidence working with high-level professionals. Thankfully, this is only the beginning. This program, while stressing professional development, also increases student resilience. We cannot remove every risk factor our students face, but we can bring more balance to the scales by increasing their network of safe, caring adults. 

What Black & Veatch hasn’t lost sight of is that the future of technology, engineering, and construction is still human. I often tell the students that it isn’t about who you know, it's about who knows you. Black & Veatch is giving the students the opportunity to be known, which is key to their personal and professional advancement.