CMU and GJEP kicks off new talent retention initiative
On Thursday, September 16, Colorado Mesa University Career Services and the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) are launching a new initiative to better connect CMU students and recent graduates with the local business community. Through a series of social, educational and professional networking events, the Grand Junction Career Passport Program will provide opportunities for new job seekers to build relationships with local employers and get a sense of what life can look like as a young professional in the Grand Valley.
“The Grand Valley not only has a growing and diverse set of career opportunities for CMU graduates, but it also offers an amazing lifestyle and welcoming community for young professionals,” said CMU Career Services Director Tamara Krizman. “With the Grand Junction Career Passport Program, we intend to plant the seed for our students that this is a place where they can and want to stay post-graduation.”
“Rural communities everywhere struggle with ‘brain drain’ - when students graduate they move to bigger cities where they perceive there to be more job opportunity and a more desirable lifestyle,” said Cilia Kohn, Director of Marketing and Communications for GJEP. “We want to prevent that from happening here by connecting businesses with students in a more engaging and creative way that also shows off the ‘westslopebestslope’ lifestyle.”
The GJ Career Passport Program kick-off event is scheduled for Thursday, September 16 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the GROWL Agency on 750 Main Street in Grand Junction. Event details and RSVP are available on the CMU Career Services Facebook page.