New program to make students
aware of high-tech jobs in Indiana
CareersINsite seeks to educate
students about job openings
By Laura Pelner
Campus
Editor
In an effort to increase awareness about the high-tech
opportunities in Indiana, a new program aims to educate students about
the jobs they could have if they remain in the state.
The program, careersINsite, is part of the initiative
to retain technology talent in Indiana, said Stuart Jones, the campus
program manager.
Jones said a large portion of Indiana graduates
leave the state even though Indiana houses a lot of start-up and high-tech
companies. "Students continue to look toward big names," said Jones.
"We want to make them aware of the ones in Indiana."
Carol Barrett, executive associate director of
the Center for Career Opportunities, said the effort is an educational
one and it's a partnership with Purdue, which is the main site.
Jones said it starts at Purdue but it is much bigger
than just this University. Other universities are mirroring similar
programs on their campuses, including Indiana University, Ball State
University, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Rose-Hulman
Institute of Technology.
"This program is designed to help students be more
aware," said Barrett. "As they become more aware they'll become pretty
serious about looking here."
Barrett said students aren't as aware as they should
be, but that this program should change that. "It will give students
another venue as they look at opportunities," she said.
Jones said the demand for high-tech students is
huge and the job market is aggressive. "One-third of all new jobs are
high-tech related," he said.
The careersINsite program will officially launch
on Aug. 1, though there will be an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. on May
10. Jones said that next semester those on campus will hear about the
program through student organizations, job fairs and activities. The
program will also create its own events, promotions and contests.
"People are going to see the logo, the name," said
Jones. "(People) need to realize that name is trying to give students
insight into what's here in Indiana."
This $1.3 million endeavor is funded by the Lilly
Endowment Project.
CareersINsite will soon have a Web page with more
information - www.careersinsite.org. The site should be up within the
next few weeks.
"We're excited about (the program)," said Barrett.
"I think it's going to be a really good thing for students and for the
state. This effort is new; it's based on the idea that the more information
people have the more likely they are to act on it."
For more information students can contact the Career
Center for Opportunities at 494-3981.
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