The gap between school and the workplace is getting larger, and employers feel it every day.
of surveyed hiring managers agree that most high school students are not prepared to enter the workforce.
of surveyed hiring managers say their company spends too much time training and upskilling new employees.
are where employers say new college graduates fall short, even though they rank among the skills employers value most.
of St. Louis businesses surveyed say poor work habits are their most common complaint about applicants.
We turn young adults into self-leaders.
An impact that lasts a lifetime
The habits they build here shape how they show up at work, in their relationships, and in every role they take on next.
A head start that compounds
Young adults who lead themselves well get noticed, get invested in, and get more responsibility sooner.
Most programs focus on getting hired. We prepare them to succeed at work.
Schools help young adults choose a direction, and job programs help them land a role. Professional readiness builds the skills to thrive once they get there, and it is where we focus.
Where am I going?
Choosing a direction, often with schools and counselors.
How do I get in?
Landing the role through résumés and interview prep.
How do I succeed once I'm there?
Operating well, contributing, earning trust, and growing.
Our focusEvery participant builds skills in three areas
Self
Self-awareness, emotional regulation, discipline and follow-through, confidence, ownership, and resilience.
Others
Communication, listening, feedback, conflict navigation, relationship building, and influence without authority.
Work
Critical thinking, judgment, problem solving, business acumen, professionalism, and managing ambiguity.
This program is not for everyone, and that is the point.
We admit young adults who want to be here and are ready to do the work. The experience is high touch, every session is demanding, and every participant is held to a professional standard.
Application and interview
Every participant applies, interviews, and shows they want to be there.
High-touch experience
Instructors and coaches work closely with every participant throughout the program.
One-to-one coaching
Individual sessions, held virtually or in person, with targeted feedback and a personal development roadmap.
Practice over lectures
Role plays, cases, and capstone work in a sequenced curriculum.
Real-world exposure
Executives, owners, and HR leaders show how work operates.
Research-backed tools
Assessments and content from Blanchard and TTI Success Insights.
They own it.
Participants apply for themselves, show up prepared, and take responsibility for their own growth. This is their launch, and they lead it.
You support it.
Parents stay informed through regular touchpoints and help reinforce what participants are learning, while their young adult does the work.
Powered by research and tools trusted by organizations around the world
Professional Launch Academy is built in partnership with Blanchard and TTI Success Insights, so participants develop with the same frameworks and insights leading employers rely on.
Through our partnership with Blanchard, participants build self-leadership skills: taking ownership of their growth, asking for what they need, and following through at work. Blanchard brings:
- Relevant, resonant, research-backed content
- Learning experiences that create engagement, connections, and outcomes
- More than 40 years of worldwide leadership development experience
TTI is an industry leader for a reason. Since 1984, TTI has created an industry-leading suite of behavioral assessments that have impacted the lives of millions of people around the world.
- Selected as a Training Industry Top 20 Assessment & Evaluation Company for a 6th consecutive year
- An in-house research team that ensures its tools are reliable and accurate
- Decades of evidence collection, study, and validation
We understand the world they're coming from, and the one they're entering.
Brad and Shelly Temm were front and center as their own three young adults made the move from school to work, and they saw firsthand the gap that exists today. Professional Launch Academy is how they help close it.
Brad Temm
Brad is a workforce expert who spent more than 25 years in the corporate setting at Edward Jones, coaching and training everyone from new associates up through the C-suite. He holds an undergraduate degree in business management and a master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology. As the owner of West Pine Consulting, he studies the workplace for a living and partners with business owners and leaders to build stronger, healthier organizations.
Shelly Temm
Shelly brings more than 25 years in education, where she has helped young people grow into capable, confident learners. Her deep expertise in curriculum design and how learners develop shapes every part of the program, so sessions are built around practice and reflection rather than lectures. She knows how young adults learn best and designs each experience so the skills they build carry over into real work.
Young professionals
We bring in early-career professionals who are only a few steps ahead of our participants to ensure the experience stays relevant and fully connects with them. They teach sessions and coach participants, sharing firsthand what it takes to succeed in those first years at work.
Request an invitation
Admission is selective and the experience is high touch. Requesting an invitation is the first step, and it comes with no commitment. You'll receive:
- The full curriculum
- Eligibility criteria
- Cohort dates
- Locations
Live outside the area? We still encourage you to request an invitation, and we'll talk through the options available to you.
Start here
Young adults, we encourage you to request your own invitation. Parents are welcome to request one on their young adult's behalf.
Your request is in.
Thank you for your interest. Brad or Shelly will be in touch soon with the full curriculum, eligibility criteria, dates, and locations.
Please email your details to Brad so he can follow up with you directly:
brad@wpineconsulting.com