Our summer high school intern Matthew pulled together the job/career URL of every company with 200+ employees in the Roanoke Valley and that info is now available to you here.

Download EmployerJobSites073107.doc

Note that the list of 200+ employees is based on data that is 2 years old. Second, note that only 10% of people get jobs through online sites. Third, future job creation will come more from growth companies who are employing much less than 200 people.

Nonetheless, this may be a good resource to use to start your job search. 

Our regional partners in addressing brain drain in Lynchburg held a luncheon with a prominent real estate developer who told the group how it was. Matter of fact, he told them to make it happen and quit complaining. It’s good advice.

No doubt in more rural areas, there are not as many big city amenities. However, there are many more opportunities to connect with key decision makers and become entrepreneurial. The question is do younger adults want to invest the time, talent and energies to make it happen? I think the answer is yes!

Look at all of the local YPOs that are forming in both Roanoke and Lynchburg. The emergence of entrepreneurship classes on college campuses are being driven by the students. There is the example of Cameron Johnson who has started 12 businesses at age 22. The examples are many, but are still not enough.

Engaging young people in the community, encouraging entrepreneurship, and empowering young adults within organizations contribute to overcoming the brain drain phenomenon.

One event is being created to do just that.

Valley Forward is having a unique event to get to these issues called Forum 4 the Future on September 13. Come to this event and get engaged in the community and make a difference by making it happen.

Here are classifed positions at Virginia Tech. Look for pay scale 4,5,6.

Download classified_employee_bulletin_072507.pdf

Here are faculty positions at Virginia Tech.

Download faculty_employee_bulletin_072507.pdf

The Albany, NY newspaper had an interesting piece that summed up some of the general feelings most Gen X and Yers have regarding selecting a location to live. It is more than just the jobs. People with extraordinary skill sets can work and live anywhere. They are mobile. Therefore, a YP friendly environment is needed to attract them. This article summarizes a collective feeling most under 40 can identify.

This link and video is of Charleston WV’s Loft Walk catered directly to young professionals. Roanoke has its own  Downtown Living Tour with the Arts Council and will be a piece within the upcoming Arts Festival.

(A recent study shows that young professionals want to live within 3 miles of a downtown district, however you measure it.)

If you are interested in Roanoke downtown housing contact Jason Fountain at Waldvogel.

http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=26499