Ceo Wannabee? Sign Up for Career Success Now

Do you have the survival skills needed to advance in corporate America? The Skanner News wants to sponsor a confidential workplace advancement group, for young people of color pursuing careers in business, government or nonprofits. If you are interested in this opportunity send your name and contact information to [email protected]

 People of color and women still face real barriers that can stall their careers, says Lee Moore, at left, chair of the Housing Authority of Portland board of commissioners.

"Many young people in professional positions may not have had mentors who can show them the ropes," Moore said. "These sessions would be an opportunity for people to share their experiences. It's a chance to give and get hands-on feedback, to problem solve and to hear about some alternative approaches they can take to help them in their careers."

The group would meet several times, on Thursday evenings starting at some time in May. The event would include speakers from Portland and beyond. Attendance would be limited to about 20 -25 early career business professionals.

Research shows that the better your education and training, the more you are likely to earn. But according to the national think tank, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, degrees still don't level the playing field for minorities.

"Although education pays off in higher earnings, the inequalities in the annual earnings of comparably educated black and white men and women remained substantial. In 1998, black men earned, on average, 71 cents for every dollar earned by white men. Black male college graduates earned 72 cents for every dollar earned by comparable whites."