When looking for new professional opportunities, job seekers value a welcoming environment where everyone is empowered to do their best work. In particular, many early-career employees hope to cultivate meaningful relationships across departments and roles. That’s why Cadence, a pivotal leader in computational software, believes innovation starts with a company culture based on trust, respect, and human connection.
Cadence’s Career Catalyst program is just one example of the tech company’s commitment to employee development and growth. Exclusively for early-career employees, the program provides monthly events, including social gatherings and mentorship opportunities, that aim to deepen an employee’s understanding of Cadence’s products, services, and overarching business goals.
For example, early-career employees Ankit, Jai, Jhenkar, Sanjukta, Viraj, Ishika, and Kushagra spent a Global Recharge Day in Lake Tahoe. Global Recharge Days are predesignated days that allow Cadence employees to rest and recharge.
The group’s Global Recharge Day included kayaking to Fannette Island in Emerald Bay State Park and watching a sunset at Sand Harbor Beach. All seven employees met through Cadence’s Career Catalyst program.
Below, Dominique Topps, a senior program manager on Cadence’s employee engagement team, shares more details about the Career Catalyst program, how the company supports new college graduates, and the key takeaways from the Global Recharge Day at Lake Tahoe.
Building transformative relationships
My name is Dominique Topps, and I’m a senior program manager on the employee engagement team. I’ve managed the Career Catalyst program since March 2024. Through my work as a teacher, advising Stanford students, and managing early-career programming at Cadence, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative impact of building strong community ties and fostering relationships among interns and new college graduates.
The Career Catalyst program offers early-career employees a year-long journey (or a condensed three-month version for interns), filled with monthly events that blend fun social gatherings, speaker series, skill development workshops, mentorship, and opportunities to connect with senior leadership. The goal is to give participants a full picture of Cadence so they can come away with a fulfilling work experience and a deeper understanding of the company’s products and technology. Our dedicated intern and early-career leads support the Career Catalyst program at the local level, ensuring a supportive and enriching experience for new college graduates and interns, whether in Noida, India, or Austin, Texas.
Sanjukta met Jai and Jhenker at a Career Catalyst ice cream social at our San Jose Headquarters in 2022. Later, they met Ankit and Viraj on Cadence’s basketball court. The group of five then connected with Kushagra and Ishika at a Career Catalyst bowling event in May 2024. Soon, the group of seven was frequently lunching together, where the plan for a two-day trip to Lake Tahoe was hatched and a long-lasting bond forged. Building connections is one of the top three pillars of the Career Catalyst program (along with culture and career), as socializing with fellow new college graduates at a company plays a critical role in young employees’ professional and personal development.
Creating a community at Cadence
As many know, going from campus to company can be an exciting and overwhelming experience. New college graduates are bridging the gap between understanding the practical aspects of what has been taught in cozy, sometimes monotonous, lecture halls and implementing these aspects in real-world settings, often with much less guidance and direct instruction. However, amidst the hustle of learning, contributing, and making those crucial connections for future endeavors, there lies an underrated aspect of young professionals—the forging of lasting friendships. Like years before, 2024 saw new college graduates and interns across various business units gaining valuable work experience and crafting friendships that could last a lifetime.
The Career Catalyst program knows that building relationships with peers who are also navigating the early stages of their careers can provide a sense of belonging and community within the workplace. Sharing experiences, challenges, and successes with people who understand the specific context of being a new graduate in the workplace can offer emotional support, reduce stress, and enhance job satisfaction. Additionally, networking professionally with other new graduates can open up collaboration, innovation, and learning opportunities. It’s a chance to exchange knowledge, skills, and ideas that can contribute to personal growth and career advancement. This benefits the young professionals and the entire company by driving a positive culture and encouraging the flow of new ideas.
By focusing on the importance of relationship building, I’m confident we can create a more connected, vibrant, and supportive early career community at Cadence.
The indispensable value of human connection
The trip to Lake Tahoe is a reminder that while career growth is essential, the human connections we forge along the way are equally, if not more, valuable. The memories created, the bonds formed, and the lessons learned about friendship, resilience, and mutual support enrich the early career experience. As the summer fades into fall, and interns and new college grads across the globe step into the next chapter of their lives, these friendships linger and show us the unforeseen pathways of professional growth. Sanjukta said it best: “Our Lake Tahoe trip was more than just an adventure—it was a chance to recharge, connect with nature, and bond with one another. We made the most of our Recharge Day, creating memories that will last forever!”