Sand Hill Venture Capitalist Invents Boot Camp to Level Playing Field

JobTrain celebrated the first graduating class of Life Skills Boot Camp in Menlo Park on Thursday.  

The Life Skills Boot Camp is the brainchild of Atherton resident Russell Pyne, a longtime JobTrain advocate. Pyne is a former chairman of the organization's board of directors, and served on the board for 17 years.

“In a way, I like to think I was promoted,” he said of leading the workshop. “It was the next step in my evolution of getting to know JobTrain. Previously, I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with the clients.”

Fourteen students completed the pilot program, which spanned 10-weeks and consisted of 20 individual workshops. 

The boot camp and its curriculum were developed approximately a year ago, after Pyne taught a workshop on personal finance as encouraged by his dear friend and JobTrain Executive Director Sharon Williams.

“As a VC, my life is focused on finance and entrepreneurship,” said Russell, who is also the founder and Managing Director of Menlo Park-based Atrium Capital.  ”Teaching the workshop was a wonderful experience. My students responded so positively that I decided I wanted to do more,” Russell said. 

The initial core classes emphasized goal setting and conflict resolution, which are the requisite soft skills needed for interpersonal communication and relationship development. The curriculum concluded with survival skills and taught students the principles of how to manage their day-to-day lives.

In order to launch the first ever JobTrain Life Skills Boot Camp, Pyne worked with one of his students, Alfred Banks and created a life skills curriculum. The objective of the pilot program was to level the playing field and establish opportunities for clients regardless of their backgrounds.

“Some people have the benefit of growing up being mentored by parents, teachers and bosses," Pyne said.  "Others have no positive role models. Alfred and I tried to focus on the basic life skills you need to be prepared for the working world,” Pyne said.

The Life Skills Boot Camp graduation was remarkable, the enthusiasm and pride of its graduates and their families and friends was undeniable. Philanthropist, community activist and comedian Michael Pritchard delivered an unforgettable keynote speech.  Here is an excerpt: 

"Don’t let the mediocre blow your candle out. Create a group of people here in this room with this first graduating class. Make this a solid and tight of a group as you have ever been around. Stay close to each other in every way that you can. Love each other; support each other – and you will change our community, our country, our planet – our world,” said Pritchard.

After receiving their certificates of completion, the graduates presented select JobTrain staff with awards signifying their appreciation for their ongoing support and mentorship.