I was speaking to a group of Virginia Tech college students on Tuesday evening about selecting their region of preference to work upon graduation. One student said that she would never stay in this region with her civil engineering degree because there was not enough SHOPPING. Instead, the NC native, said she was going to Atlanta. I urged her to think more broadly about the high cost of living, traffic, time lost in commuting, inability to afford a house in a large metro city, etc. all in exchange for more places to SHOP.
Unfortunately, she is not alone in her thinking. We have far too many college students who are missing the big picture of what the Roanoke and New River Valleys have to offer. On Wednesday, November 16, I am speaking to a 1000-student business management class on why they should consider staying upon graduation. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have to incorporate into this talk.
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I believe the size of the Valleys also provide professionals access to a more diverse group of professionals at a younger age. Per my own experience with a bank in NYC I only knew professionals involved in the futures business there, limiting my ability to network with others in the advertising, fashion or even others in the banking industry.
As a general rule there are less demands placed on professionals by their careers in the Valley region opening up time to explore as a young adult. Some of the opportunities to explore would include organizations like the Jaycees, Kiwanis, Rotary, NCTC, Square Society, a young men’s professional organization in Roanoke, the Chamber of Commerce, the NRV network and many other nonprofit community/cultural organizations.
Finally there are just as many diverse groups to be involved with in this region as there are in larger cities, its taking the time to find them. Maybe if we want graduates to stay in the region a community organzation fair much like a career fair should be organzied.
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