Combating brain drain is a long-running theme in mid-major metro areas like Lincoln. In our community (and in other communities just like ours) we spend our resources educating students only to lose them to other cities for higher education or job opportunities. It’s not a poor reflection on what Lincoln has to offer, so much as it’s a reflection on how young people view the glam and glitz of a big city with mountains and ocean views vs. the strength and stability of Lincoln that appeals to middle and older aged adults.
The upgrades we have undertaken to make Lincoln more vibrant – West Haymarket, Innovation Campus, downtown urban living options – are making a difference. More and more college graduates are choosing Lincoln because of our growing job prospects and growing options for entertainment. We are becoming a very vibrant city.
Now we want to take the initiative beyond college graduates and also begin to target retaining Lincoln’s high school graduates as well.
The project is called 1st Job-Lincoln. We are teaming-up with the Lincoln Human Resource Management Association to promote the idea of preparing a high school grad for their first “real” job right here in Lincoln. Unlike other typical summer jobs for teens, 1st Job-Lincoln gives students an opportunity to explore a potential career field while just coming out of high school. In the past, without a concerted effort to connect employers with internships, these teens may have gotten overlooked and subsequently, soured on the Lincoln job market, thinking – “There are no opportunities for me here.”
The intent is that this project can be a leading example of community-driven, work-school integration, serving to retain our home-grown talent. We also envision a future partnership with the LPS Career Center to make the program grow even stronger.
We need your help! The project is in need of companies willing to participate in the program. You can also contact our office or Kim Michael with Lincoln Human Resource Management Association at (402) 441-4350 or kmichael.1stjoblincln@gmail.com.
Together, we can fight the brain drain and grow jobs in Lincoln.
I want to close this column with a “Thank You” to everyone in Lincoln for making the first State High School Basketball Championships a success. Thousands of fans from greater Nebraska descended on Lincoln for two weekends in March and their feedback was almost entirely positive. The new Pinnacle Bank Arena drew the highest praise. From players to coaches, to fans, they were all awestruck when they took to the floor. Once again, I can firmly say – building the arena was a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment of which Lincoln can be very proud.
Thanks and have a great month.
by Wendy Birdsall, President
Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
402-436-2350
The Chamber’s mission is to improve the lives of Lincoln residents by providing increased economic opportunity and can only be accomplished together. Networking opportunities, business advocacy, and creating economic viability are critical to our success. We encourage you to become a member and help us achieve these goals for Lincoln. For more information, please contact our Membership Director, Kristin Holmes, kholmes@lcoc.com.