This evening I am speaking to the annual Roanoke CPAs event for local college students.

I am planning to break it up into two sections – one for the job seeker and the other for companies. We must have these groups understand the needs of each other. It is clearly not happening as a whole.

We need students to focus on acquiring billable skills and not act off a sense of entitlement. These students must also think about where they want to work and what region and majors provide the most opportunity depending on what is more important – the job or the city?

Companies in the region – students can work and live anywhere so why your company and why this region? Will talk a little about my experience with a great company culture. Also, now is the time for employers to talk about retention, what are they doing now to keep them.

If you have any thoughts, then let me know @stuartmease