The Emerging Professional Academy by DRIVE. helps students build the skills they didn’t learn in school but need to thrive in the workplace. From speaking up with confidence to mastering emotional intelligence and leadership presence, our courses give you practical tools you can apply immediately. Whether you’re a new graduate, early-career professional, or parent looking to support your grad, our programs fuel confidence, accelerate growth, and prepare you for long-term career success.
Why The Emerging Professionals Academy Exists.
If you’ve read the headlines, you’ve seen the concern:
- “Gen Z Isn’t Ready for the Workforce.”
- “Managers Say New Graduates Lack Soft Skills.”
- “30% of Employees Leave Their First Job Within 90 Days.”
But the problem isn’t potential — it’s preparation.
College teaches technical knowledge, but it rarely teaches how to lead, communicate, or handle conflict. Emerging professionals are stepping into complex workplaces without the confidence, emotional intelligence, and adaptability employers expect — and that gap is costing both companies and careers.
The Emerging Professionals Academy by DRIVE. was created to close that gap. Our programs give early-career professionals the tools to thrive — to speak up with confidence, collaborate effectively, manage stress, and lead with impact from day one.
Because when we invest in people early, they don’t just stay — they grow, lead, and transform the culture around them.
The Reality for Emerging Professionals.
30% — of new graduates leave their first job within the first 90 days. (Work Institute, 2023)
31% — of employers say college graduates are “career-ready.”
(NACE Job Outlook Report)
45% — of managers say Gen Z lacks communication and leadership skills.
(Forbes, 2024)
1 in 2 — young professionals report feeling unprepared for real-world workplace challenges.
(SHRM Early Career Readiness Study)
What It Means.
The data is clear — emerging professionals have the talent, but not the training. The Emerging Professionals Academy by DRIVE. bridges that gap by teaching the soft skills, confidence, and leadership mindset that drive long-term success.
Accelerate Your Success with These Programs.
Continue your DRIVE. journey with courses and coaching built to fast-track your growth.
Meet Kristi Elrod.
Founder of DRIVE. Organizational Solutions and The Emerging Professionals Academy
With over 30 years of experience in marketing, communications, and leadership — and a master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology — I’ve seen firsthand the challenges emerging professionals face when stepping into the workplace.
Too often, graduates leave school with technical knowledge but lack the soft skills employers value most: confidence, communication, emotional intelligence, and leadership presence. That gap holds back talented young professionals from reaching their potential.
I created these courses to close that gap. My goal is to help emerging professionals build the confidence to speak up, the skills to lead from any level, and the presence to thrive in careers they love. When you invest in yourself early, you accelerate not just your career, but your lifelong growth as a leader.
Emerging Professional Testimonial.
"I used to feel like an imposter at work — like I didn’t belong in the room. Kristi helped me see my strengths and gave me tools to quiet that negative voice. Now I walk into meetings with confidence, share my ideas, and actually believe I deserve to be here."
- Sarah, age 23
