Talent Lives Here will focus on connecting talented college and university students and graduates with local employers in an effort to create job opportunities for them to establish long-term employment and enhance community relationships in the capital region. This will enhance a sense of place for students and graduates through cultural and social ties to the greater Tallahassee community.
About Talent Lives Here
The Talent Lives Here, or TLH, initiative will increase the number of local college graduates who choose to live and work as professionals in the Tallahassee region by creating a targeted internship program. The TLH internship program will improve the quality of the internship experience from the perspective of both students and participating businesses, and increase the number of college students working at internships at local businesses. While students are enrolled in TLH, they will be exposed to Tallahassee’s young professional community and engaged in the city’s cultural life to encourage a long-term commitment to living here.
Why TLH?
Tallahassee does poorly in retaining its college graduates, which hinders the development of a thriving creative economy. Research shows that students who work at local internships are significantly more likely to stay in Tallahassee after graduation. In addition, students who become engaged in the local community (i.e., outside the immediate campus area) are more likely to remain in the community after graduation. A support program to increase student internships in Tallahassee’s business community, and increase students’ engagement with local life beyond the campus, will likely improve our retention of graduates and enhance our creative economy.
Catalysts: Jovita Bakker, William Smith, John Fleming, Rod Lipscomb, Julie Lovelace, Marty Sipple, Allie VanLandingham, Valerie Wickboldt, Kawana Williams
