Partnering with Local Businesses

Desiree FraserEbe Randeree

PartnershipsWhat constitutes a partnership?

D

What is a Partnership

• Evolving relationship

• Sustainable and Long Term

•Meets a business need

•Meets a College need

• Benefits STUDENTS!

• It is also STRATEGIC!

D

Business Partnerships

• College courses provide limited information about the needs of employers

• Academics sometimes are “academics” and not very business savvy

•Why its important…Bridge the employer-student gapMake connections/NetworkingExchange information

D

Business Partnerships

• Business needs are always changing and students need to be able to understand business needs

•How do I get these skills

•What are the relevant skill sets

•What is the industry outlook

•How can I compete

•How can both partners benefit

•How do I find out about jobs and internships

D

Business Partnerships

• Every university has a Career Center – the problem is that these centers provide “general information” and limited information about local and regional employers, future market needs, access to these employers, etc.

• They also serve the entire University and are not always responsive to your students

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AchievementsWhat have we done?

D

Many channels1. Feed Your Brain

2. WISE

3. Career Fair

4. Internship Talks

5. Industry Panels

6. Meet with CEO

7. Company Tours

8. MentorsE

Many channelsEvent Employer

Participation (# companies)

Student Participation(# students)

STARS involvement

Career Fair – Fall 52 250 STARS organized and led the event

Fall Feed Your Brain Event 5 120+ STARS partnered with Leadership Class

Fall Company visits (Recruiting)

3 90 STARS organized the event

Fall Tours of Companies (group visits)

1 35 STARS and AITP organized the event

Fall Visits with CEOs 1 12 STARS and WISE organized the event

Career Fair – Spring 49 281 STARS organized and led the event

Spring Feed Your Brain Event

5 170+ STARS partnered with Leadership Class

Spring Company visits (Recruiting)

3 200 STARS organized the event

Spring Tours of Companies (group visits)

3 38 STARS and AITP organized the event

Spring Visits with CEOs 3 27 STARS and WISE organized the event

Summer Feed Your Brain Event

1 75 STARS and Professor organized the event

E

1. Feed Your Brain

5-6 per semester

Various topics (students polled)

Student RUN

Some include food (great incentive)

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E

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2. WISE (Women in IT/ICT Sharing Experiences)

Female EmpowermentMentorship Strategies for SuccessMixersPeer sessionsCEO Breakfasts

E

Attracting Young Women and Faculty

E

3. Internships

Posted on relevant sites

Companies invited to speak when they are looking for people

In class (10 minutes)

E

Jim Reed - talking about TMH (HIT jobs)

4. Career Fairs

More formal2 per year Recruitment of companies

50+ companies attending250+ students coming to the event

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Spring and Fall Fairs

5. Industry Panels

2-3 per year

“Social Media”

“Status of Healthcare/Technology”

“Interview skills”

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6. Company Visits

Each Semester we go out and take tours and sit down with company CEOs to discuss:

Leadership

Entrepreneurship

Mentorship

Industry Outlook

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6. Company Visits

Large groups

More of overview

Great place to network

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7. Meet the CEO

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Small groups

Very focused

Mentors and jobs/interns

1-2 hours

8. Mentors

Use 1-7 to identify mentors

Provide meeting space

Facilitate introductions

1-3 students per mentor

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Many channels1. Feed Your Brain

2. WISE

3. Career Fair

4. Internship Talks

5. Industry Panels

6. Meet with CEO

7. Company Tours

8. MentorsE

ProcessSo how do you build these

partnerships?

D

Making Partnerships

1. Starting Out

2. Building a Relationship

3. Communication

4. Take Away

D

1. Starting Out

Target audience Which companies will be partners?

New entrants Industry Leaders

What is the long term plan for this partnership This semester This year Next 3 years

D

1. Starting Out

Get information:

Career Center

Alumni

Prominent Companies

New companies

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1. Starting Out

Identify

• Get Information

Contact

• Keep communication open

Vetting

• Make sure it’s a right fit

D

2. Building a relationship

Why should they partner with you?

Provide a service

Access to students and faculty

Promote business, service or products

D

2. Building a relationship

Find ways to build contacts and network

LinkedIn

Alumni

Faculty

Professional groups

D

3. Communication

When building relationships its best to first meet in person.

Shows interest

Commitment

More personable

Be prepared

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3. Communication

Keep communication open.

LinkedIn

Emails

Phone calls

Visits

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3. Communication

Be courteous. Following any event make sure give a proper thank you.

Cards

Letters

Emails

D

4. Take Away

What you will get out of it…

Industry updates

Employment opportunities

Mentors

Internships

Speakers

Swag

D

Other Considerations

University Buy-In Show your results Talk about your results Tweet your results Start small

E

Your Ideas?Questions, Suggestions, whats

worked for you?