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With five major universities and several smaller colleges in the area, Spokane has no trouble attracting young adults. The difficulty comes in keeping them here once they graduate. According to a 2006 article in The Gonzaga Bulletin, Eastern Washington is home to nearly 60,000 college students. Unfortunately, for many of those students, the stay often is for college days alone. Demographics data suggested that, of the nearly 444,000 county residents, not even 8 percent are of this age bracket, the article reported.
Group forms to keep recent graduates close to Spokane. With five major universities and several smaller colleges in the area, Spokane has no trouble attracting young adults. The difficulty comes in keeping them here once they graduate. According to a 2006 article in The Gonzaga Bulletin, Eastern Washington is home to nearly 60,000 college students. Unfortunately, for many of those students, the stay often is for college days alone. Demographics data suggested that, of the nearly 444,000 county residents, not even 8 percent are of this age bracket, the article reported. Greater Spokane Inc. wants to change that. Recently, the organization launched a new Emerging Professionals group. The group’s mission is to “retain and attract young talent, while fostering the next generation of leadership.” Dawn Picken, director of marketing and communications for Greater Spokane Inc., says the group had an introductory meeting last spring, and young professionals gathered to talk about their needs as young people who want to stay and grow their careers in the Inland Northwest. The group plans to meet regularly and will welcome interested young adults. Chase Shields, a 2002 Lewis & Clark High School graduate, attended the introductory meeting. Shields left the area to attend the University of Washington. After graduating, he lived in Tokyo for a time before returning to Spokane last year. What brought him back? A job. Shields was offered a position as director of Camp Cross, a summer camp and retreat center owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane. The 24-year-old man was delighted to find some things had changed in his absence. “Spokane’s art and music scene is getting better,” says Shields, adding that the Emerging Professionals group is “a great way to connect young people who are going to be the future of Spokane.” Jennifer Norwood, a student at Whitworth University who hopes to stay in the region after graduation, also attended the first meeting. She says the group brainstormed about the region’s image. “It’s not Seattle,” she says. “But we’re not trying to be. We have a different edge—our outdoorsiness, the lakes, the mountains.” Organizers hope Emerging Professionals will be a great source of networking and for connecting young professionals and the business community. “We look forward to incorporating community involvement,” says Valerie Payette, Greater Spokane Inc.’s work force development project coordinator. “This program, through the connection to businesses and the activities provided, should convince these young people to stay in Spokane.” Another facet of Emerging Professionals is an intern academy. Picken says the goal will be to help train interns from companies and nonprofits around the region about what they can expect and how they can maximize their internships. Picken says the group also is trying to appeal to the next generation of professionals by posting reports on YouTube. Shields came away from the meeting energized and optimistic. He sees the group as a way to connect people from all walks of life with all sorts of skills. “Who will shape this city?” he asks. His hope is that Emerging Professionals will utilize the creative energy of his generation. “Young leaders want a place to lead,” he says. For more information about Emerging Professionals, contact Amy Johnson at
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To see a recent acceleration report, visit www.youtube.com/user/GreaterSpokaneInc.
For more information about Greater Spokane Inc., go to www.greaterspokaneincorporated.org.
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