As more companies announce they are moving to Connecticut, the Lamont administration continues to be bullish on attracting and retaining young professionals through career-development programs and marketing.
A major component of that strategy is targeting recent college graduates. According to data collected up to six months after graduation, Connecticut universities report they are seeing large numbers of graduates stay in the state. This trend needs to be maintained for Connecticut to complete its recovery from the pandemic.
Governor’s Innovation Fellowship
One program that has been successful in developing young talent is the Governor’s Innovation Fellowship (GIF), which was launched by Gov. Lamont in 2020. The initiative has recent college graduates work for one year at some of the state’s most promising companies.
The inaugural GIF class included 18 fellows who were recent college graduates with most being alumni of Connecticut universities. They each received a $5,000 grant to help cover housing and other living expenses and were guided with mentorships and other support services.
The program has already successfully graduated one class, and the next class of GIF fellows is scheduled to start in the summer of 2022.
CTforME
CTforMe is a digital media marketing strategy aimed at attracting and retaining young people looking to begin their career in the state. The new social media initiative and website, launched by the state, highlights young professionals living and working in Connecticut.
“CTForMe is a new way our younger population can engage with each other and share their personal experiences of living and working in Connecticut,” Gov. Lamont said in a press release. “I encourage anyone who wants to tell their stories to use the hashtag or reach out — let’s work to get your story out there.”
Thinking long-term
As we hit the reset button after Covid, it’s advantageous to try new approaches and set goals that will help the state thrive in the years to come. Attracting the best young talent now, many already living in Connecticut, is a worthwhile effort.