In its first all-electronic registration, the partnership to expose more Michigan State University (MSU) students to Capital region job opportunities drew 175 students and 80 employers, a 20 percent increase in students and a 40 percent increase in participating businesses over last year.
Part of Linking Lansing and U, the three-year-old program is sponsored by the Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) and MSU.
By taking the applications electronically, organizers were able to gather more information and guide students toward greater job possibilities, says Andrea Ragan, program director.
For example, a journalism major might not have considered working in a corporate communication office at an insurance company.
Sal Durso, of Lansing-based Centennial Group, which handles various insurance products, had five job shadowers. His company expects to hire 20 to 25 people in 2009.
“Not only did I have a good experience, your helpful advice made it clear to me that Lansing is the place for me right after graduation," says Megan Depky, who spent the day observing with the legislature's Democratic Senate central staff. "That takes a huge weight off of my shoulders for the next two months before graduation."
The afterglow reception at Troppo restaurant drew 150 employers and students, giving the city another opportunity to showcase a portion of Lansing’s lifestyle.
Ragan’s next act: She’s working on what she calls “an engagement program” for summer interns to further show them why they should stick around.
Source: Andrea Ragan, LEDC
Gretchen Cochran, Innovation & Jobs editor, may be reached here.
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