Celebrating Resilience and Mentorship this Volunteer Appreciation Week:
Meet Behzad Faridnia
April marks Volunteer Appreciation Week, a time to recognize the individuals who lend their time, talent, and heart to strengthen our communities. At Vital Link, our mission to bridge the gap between education and the business world wouldn't be possible without our dedicated volunteers. This week, we are proud to highlight Behzad Faridnia, a man whose life and career embody the spirit of perseverance and service.Meet Behzad Faridnia: A Non-Traditional Path to Tech Leadership
Behzad is the Founder and President of OC Tech Innovations, a managed IT services provider he launched in 2017. While he is now a staple in the Orange County tech scene—serving on the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce and the Orange County Department of Education Apprenticeship Steering Committee—his journey was far from a straight line. "My path here was anything but traditional," Behzad shares. "I spent nearly a decade in the nonprofit sector, sold radio advertising, and worked in international corporate housing. Different industries, different roles, but the thread was always the same: I love working with people." Behzad’s "people-first" philosophy is backed by a staggering personal resilience. Despite a medical condition that would typically limit aerobic activity, he is an endurance athlete who has completed an Ironman triathlon, a 100-mile run, and the grueling swim from Alcatraz to the San Francisco shore.The Vital Link Connection
Behzad connected with Vital Link through President April Barnes. He didn't just want to volunteer; he wanted to show today’s youth that career paths are rarely linear. Since joining as a mentor for our roundtable sessions, he has become a vital asset to students navigating the intimidating "what’s next?" phase of life. The "Why" Behind the Work: For Behzad, workforce development is an investment in the future of the economy. According to recent labor statistics, nearly 70% of the US workforce is comprised of the "middle-skill" and "new-collar" roles that Vital Link prepares students for. "Growing up, I was shaped by people who took the time to share insight," Behzad says. "Vital Link gives me the opportunity to pay that forward."A Story of Real Impact: From Mentorship to Entrepreneurship
The impact of volunteering is often measured in moments. Behzad recalls a specific mentor roundtable where he met a student eager to start a business.- The Advice: Behzad told him to find a passion and figure out how to get someone to pay for it.
- The Result: Months later, the student approached Behzad at a Vital Link event to share that he had launched his own landscaping business and secured his first contracts.
- The Extra Mile: Behzad didn't stop there; he connected the young entrepreneur with an insurance broker to ensure the business was properly protected and ready to scale.
Words of Wisdom for Students
When Behzad hires at OC Tech Innovations, he looks beyond the certifications. In an era where over 50% of hiring managers prioritize soft skills over technical expertise, Behzad’s advice to students is simple:- Just Get Started: "You don’t need to know everything; you need to know something and show what you’ve learned."
- Overcome Imposter Syndrome: "The fact that you had the courage to walk into the room and ask a question means you are already ahead."
- Learn How to Learn: "We aren't looking for people told what to think; we want people who apply their learning quickly."
Your Turn: Support Vital Link Today
The community thrives when we invest in each other. As Behzad notes, sharing your perspective costs very little but can change the entire trajectory of a young person’s life. We need your support now more than ever. Whether you have one hour a month or can mentor a student through an internship, your experience is the bridge a student needs to cross into their future career. Join Behzad and the Vital Link family:- Share your story: Be a panelist or mentor.
- Host a student: Open your business for an internship or apprenticeship.
- Invest: Help us continue providing these life-changing connections.
