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Purdue Students Spend Spring Break in Cedar Rapids
Posted 3/15/2010
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Instead of heading to Cancun or Key West, 20 students from Purdue University’s College of Technology will be spending their Spring Break in Cedar Rapids, touring top employers and learning about what life is like for young professionals in the Corridor.
Priority One developed the program in response to the number of employers looking for quality interns, and the challenges they’ve experienced recruiting to the Cedar Rapids area. Cedar Rapids employers expect to hire 700 interns during 2010.
“The problem is really two-fold,” said Kari Lammer, director of workforce initiatives at Priority One. “Not only are employers cutting their recruiting budget and reducing the number of college career fairs they attend, but the best and brightest students are getting offers from three or four companies, allowing them to be more selective about the opportunity they ultimately pick.”
During their four-day stay, students will tour General Mills, ADM, Rockwell Collins, Hall & Hall Engineers, Alliant Energy and Quaker Oats.
“The Purdue Spring Break trip is an excellent way for Cedar Rapids companies to meet motivated students from a top notch technology and engineering campus,” said RaeAnn Levag, associate human resources manager at General Mills. “Not only do the students benefit by speaking with companies about future careers, but it gives the companies a chance to meet students early in their college years and really help them understand what makes them stand out in interviews. This program has the potential to become a strong avenue for talented students who are interested in the jobs available with our companies and working in the Cedar Rapids community.”
By bringing students to Cedar Rapids, Lammer hopes to introduce them to not only the great employers in the community, but to the recreational, cultural and entertainment amenities available.
“Often when we talk to students from outside the area about Cedar Rapids, they have no idea what our community has to offer,” said Lamer. “This is our chance to showcase all the advantages available to young people in our community.”
“The Purdue Spring Break trip allows the Cedar Rapids community to come together and show the next generation of business leaders what we’re all about," said Rue Patel, general manager at General Mills. "We can introduce them to the variety of businesses and careers available in Cedar Rapids and give them the opportunity to experience the social side of the community. This trip can become a foundation for bringing talented and motivated students into the area.”
Scheduled events include stops at the homes of Mr. Patel, as well as Shannon Meyer, president of the Greater Cedar Rapids Chamber, networking with local Purdue alumni and ImpactCR members at Dublin City Pub, a walking tour of downtown Cedar Rapids, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and a Rough Riders game.
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