Statesman

Issue date: 2/10/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Karli Miller Sisters Jackie and Nikki Frampton spend their Monday afternoon working as interns in event planning and marketing.

Duluth is known as a "college town:" The city where college students spend somewhere around four years and then leave. Fuse Duluth, a branch of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, wants to change this perception.

Fuse Duluth created College Connection to give college students in this area the opportunity to meet with successful people in Duluth, network and gain experience.

College Connection aims at students 20 to 40 years of age who are looking to further their career and gain hands-on experience.

Each student will be paired with a mentor who works in the field similar to the student's career aspirations.

"There are three events planned each year for the mentors and mentees to mingle. One of the meetings is going to be almost like 'speed dating,' where you meet with people from all different networks," Director of Fuse Lara Wilkinson said.

Besides the three events, it is up to the mentor and mentee to schedule times and make arrangements to meet up.

"My mentor was so great," said business major Jackie Frampton. "I got to job shadow, do mock interviews and she even helped me with my resume. I ended up getting my internship with the Area Chamber of Commerce as an event planner."

Fuse is not just beneficial to those who plan to stay in Duluth. It gives students the opportunity to test the waters of their future career.

"A lot of jobs aren't publicized like they should be. Both of my past two jobs were not advertized. Fuse can help students discover these kinds of positions," Wilkinson said.

Students may have apprehension about meeting their mentor, but all these people are volunteering to help students because they want to, they want to help out.

"I was really nervous to come to the "kick off" meeting to meet my mentor, but everyone was so welcoming and nice, I highly recommend it," said marketing major Nikki Frampton. "It helps you grow as a person."

Students can apply for the College Connection starting next fall.

"You can't find this kind of experience in the classroom," Wilkinson said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools