Early Bird

C2 Hub Industry Partnership team celebrates successes

MSU Denver comes together to engage students with industry partners and develop exciting new opportunities.

By Maluwa Behringer

April 30, 2020

This semester, Metropolitan State University of Denver students have engaged with industry partners and potential employers in a number of new and promising ways. While certain efforts have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the work continues to connect students to careers – and the team has a lot to celebrate.

The Classroom to Career Hub recently released its Industry Partnership Spring 2020 Year-to-date Spotlight, highlighting promising data, connections and students’ career success. In total, the team engaged more than 1,000 students and more than 160 industry partners. This generated more than 240 new career opportunities for students and more than $100,000 in new funding.

Key events and highlights

STEM Career Fair

• 395 students attended.
• 45 industry partners participated (up from 33 in 2019).
• Four students received summer internships, and three students received full-time employment.
• Hosted in collaboration with MSU Denver Peer Mentors.

Lockheed Martin Co-Op Interview Day

• 26 student applicants were invited to participate in interviews.
• 18 students were hired through co-op programs; one student was hired for a full-time position.
• Hosted in collaboration with Lockheed Martin and MSU Denver faculty.

On-campus interview with Ovintiv, Plante Moran and Stone Pine

• 36 students were interviewed.
• 150-plus students participated.
• 37 local, state and federal agencies were represented.

Government Career Day co-sponsored event with University of Colorado Denver

Navigate Your Health Career Event, sponsored by Centura Health in collaboration with the Health Institute and C2Hub

• 112 students participated, a 40% increase from 2019.
• New this year, the event incorporated 15 employers and recruiting.

Raytheon Fellowships

• 30 students applied, and 11 were eligible and are under review by Raytheon.
• Six positions were created for students in Aerospace and Engineering Sciences, Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Electrical Engineering Technology.
• Developed in collaboration with Fred Barlow, Ph.D., and University Advancement.

FirstBank funding Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion graduate assistant position

• $100,000 in funding confirmed over five years to support career development and recruiting.
• The grad assistant position will help expand services with CMEI.
• Developed in collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs, Advancement and CMEI.

Earn and Learn

• 120 students applied, and 65 were selected.
• 52 industry partners are participating.
• One student participant was invited to speak to the Colorado legislature, and other universities have requested more information.
• Developed in collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs and Human Resources.

Law Professionals Panel

• 50 students participated, a 20% increase from 2019.
• Hosted in collaboration with the Departments of English and Philosophy.

Accounting Meet and Greet for sophomores and juniors

• 53 students participated.
• Seven employers offered 15 positions and five summer programs.
• Hosted in partnership with the Accounting Department and Accounting Student Organization.

Next, the C2 Hub team will draft an Industry Partnership Strategy. Campus departments and offices are invited to work with the team to align strategies and plans. C2 Hub representatives will connect with each of the colleges and areas to kick off review of a draft strategy. The team aims to finalize plans and be ready for implementation in the fall semester.