▲ ShouldShould II staystay oror shouldshould II go?go? Survey of Recent College Graduates

A Knowledge Industry Partnership Report - June, 2004

With the release of its Knowledge Industry Report in 2000, Four years ago, Greater The Economy League took a close look at the drew a line in the sand: impact Greater Philadelphia’s impressive mix of colleges and universities has on the region.

or Students The report concluded that while Philadelphia’s 83 colleges and universities are indeed economic engines, and our 300,000 “Success in the new economy enrolled students represent a potential talent stream will be increasingly concentrated to rival any major metro, we are not among the top-tier of in those regions with the right knowledge industry regions—and in fact are being closely tailed combination of smart people by a set of up-and-coming regions. A City Built f and good ideas. It is crucial that What these regions appear to have in common is a high level of Greater Philadelphia be well education attainment, typically more than 40 percent, as com- positioned to capitalize and build pared to Philadelphia’s 29 percent. In today’s knowledge-driven upon its existing base of knowl- economy, this puts Philadelphia at a distinct disadvantage. edge assets.” Philadelphia: Four years later, under the leadership of the Knowledge Industry Partnership, Philadelphia is writing the game plan on how to —Greater Philadelphia’s Knowledge Industry: Leveraging the Region’s Colleges and collaboratively address workforce issues through its regional Universities in the New Economy (2000) “One Big Campus” initiative.As part of this landmark effort, we are pleased to present the findings from one of the most comprehensive surveys of recent graduates to date, which sheds light of why the region’s education levels lag behind other knowledge regions.

The results are surprisingly encouraging—and provide a clarion call for regional stakeholders interested in ensuring Philadelphia emerges competitive and prosperous in today’s knowledge economy.

We would like to thank the following colleges and universities for their participation in this survey: The University of the Arts Cabrini College Lincoln University Thomas Jefferson University University of Pennsylvania Community College of Philadelphia Moore College of Art and Design University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Valley College Penn State-Abington Valley Forge Christian College Pennyslvania Academy of the Fine Arts Gwynedd-Mercy College Harcum College Saint Joseph's University Photography in this report was provided by University of Pennsylvania, Bob Krist, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation and James Wasserman Executive Summary

In January 2004, the Knowledge Industry Partnership (KIP) conducted a web-based For every 10 students who graduate from high school in Philadelphia and go onto survey of 2,550 graduates who attended college in the Greater Philadelphia area and college, 4 students will end up residing elsewhere after college. graduated in the spring or summer of 2003.Twenty nine different colleges from the region (see inside front cover) participated by contacting graduates.The data represents The Opportunity: Philadelphia has the potential to retain more students. a diverse sample of graduates in terms of place of origin, place of residence, degree, class status, field of work, ethnicity and general attitudes and opinions about the region. Philadelphia already has the key ingredients needed to not only attract college students, but keep them here after they graduate: The Good News: Philadelphia retains more graduates than most people think. • The infrastructure necessary to provide ample internship opportunities 64 % of all graduates remain in the region after college. • Strong academic programs in fields of study most likely to retain students Contrary to conventional wisdom, almost two-thirds of all undergraduate and • The vast cultural and professional resources of a major urban center graduate students choose to remain in the Philadelphia region after earning their • Affordable cost of living and plentiful housing stock degree. By comparison, Boston widely regarded as the market leader for higher education, retains only 50 percent of its new graduates. Judging from the region’s relatively high retention of native college graduates, Philadelphia now has the proof these ingredients work. 86 % of graduates originally from the area stay in the area. Philadelphia does especially well in retaining native Philadelphians.This is a testa- Those who truly know the region realize it’s not just a great place to go to school, ment to the region’s popularity among those with a first-hand appreciation for all but also to build a career. it has to offer. Once again, Philadelphia’s retention of homegrown graduates is currently higher than Boston’s (72%). Philadelphia should focus more resources and activities on its non-native students. In other words, make sure they come to know the region as intimately as Philadelphians The Challenge: Philadelphia does not do as well in retaining non-native graduates. do. As our findings confirm, those who develop a first-hand appreciation for all that Philadelphia has to offer—both on and off campus—are not so quick to pack their 29 % of those not originally from this region stay after graduation. bags come graduation. After taking up residence for at least a year and typically much longer, more than 15,000 new graduates leave the region annually in pursuit of work somewhere else. If Philadelphia was able to match Boston’s retention rate of non-native graduates, 2,400 Contrary to Boston, which retains 4 out of 10 (42%) of its non-native graduates new knowledge workers would be joining the region’s workforce each year.The eco- annually, Philadelphia holds onto fewer than three out of ten. nomic impact of this shift would be tremendous.This new population would help recast the region’s image as an attractive location for other young, college-educated knowledge The Bottom Line: Until Philadelphia is able to retain more non-native graduates, workers—including those currently attending college elsewhere who will be seeking a it will continue to suffer a net loss of knowledge workers. vibrant urban experience where they can prosper and thrive.

It is simply not enough for Philadelphia to keep its own sons and daughters in the Herein lies the main issue resting at the center of this report. area after college. From a practical standpoint, convincing more non-native college students to stay is the region’s best way to replenish the thousands of high school When talented, temporary residents ask themselves,“Should I stay in the region after graduates who leave the region for college.This will also help compensate for those I graduate or go somewhere else?” far too many make the personal and professional residents who do not go on to earn their degree. decision to leave.

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Retaining Philadelphia’s College Graduates Who Stays and Who Goes

There are two times when young educated Philadelphia’s strong graduate retention people … future scientists, engineers, exec- clearly confirms this region is attractive to 25% of students utives, and artists … typically pack their Philadelphia natives and non-natives alike. head somewhere new bags during their college career. First, when after graduating they leave home for college and again As for the 36 percent of 2003 graduates Home Bound Explorers when they graduate. Should I Stay or Should that did pack their bags after graduation, (11%) (16%) I Go? aims its sights squarely on the second some of these graduates are homebound, New major move—the transition from college returning to their place of origin.Whether Philadelphians to career. it’s familial ties or the sluggish job market, (11%) Ex-Philadelphians the reasons these students are going home (9%) This report focuses on the students already are largely out of the region’s control. residing here, who are completing their degree and eager to share their talents with The others packing their bags are a differ- Native Philadelphians the world. Growing this demographic will ent story.This population, representing 25 (53%) improve the region’s youthful image, which percent of all graduates, are leaving in turn will further improve Philadelphia’s Philadelphia to go somewhere new.The ability to attract more students and young majority of these graduates are “explorers,” professionals to the region. non-natives who are packing their bags but are not going home.The rest are ex- Taking a look at the Knowledge Industry Philadelphians, exploring the world outside 64% of all graduates stay in the area Partnership’s Survey of Recent College their hometown for the first time.Together, Graduates (see chart, opposite page), they represent Philadelphia’s best shot at Philadelphia does a very respectable job of reversing brain drain. Glossary Stayers and Leavers retaining its own college graduates. Native Philadelphians • Origins and Retention of Non-Natives (27,000) 64 percent of graduates stay, - from the region and staying the majority of whom are native Native Philadelphians—those who went to Where % who Philadelphians—the backbone of Metro Area non-Philadelphians stay after Explorers (8,000) high school in the region and stayed for are from graduation Philadelphia’s educated workforce. college—account for most of the region’s - not from here; not returning home New York metro area 23% 28% New Philadelphians • retained graduates, but there are also a Pennsylvania (non PHL or PIT) 9% 44% (6,000) 25 percent pack their bags and go decent number of non-native students— (non NYC or PHL) 9% 32% - came for college and staying somewhere new.These are the those who came to Philadelphia for col- Baltimore/Washington DC 7% 17% independent and mobile decisions Outside of US 6% 30% Ex-Philadelphians (5,000) lege—who remained after graduating. Many makers. Of this group,“explorers” Boston 5% 27% - from the region; left after college of these Philadelphia converts are from Los Angeles 4% 13% represent the best opportunity smaller metro areas or nearby locales and Chicago 2% 8% Home Bound (5,000) for Philadelphia to impact graduate San Fransisco - Oakland 2% 12% have discovered Philadelphia offers the per- - not from here; returning home retention and education attainment. Pittsburgh 1% 53% fect mix of small-town character and big- Elsewhere in US 24% 33% city opportunity (see chart at right). *Average non-Philadelphian retention rate is 29%

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ing more “explorer” graduates. Philadelphiashouldberetain- Simply put, Philadelphia—42 than more ofitsnon-native graduates the factthatBostonretainssignificantly Butthisissmallconsolationfor 76 percent. Boston’snative studentpopulationversus retaining86percentofits ent thanBoston, far betterholdingontoitshomegrown tal- show thatPhiladelphiadoes Comparisons and The BostonFoundation). BostonChamberofCommerce Gtr. 2003, Oct. Talent RetentioninGreaterBoston,” Drain: thishome(“Preventing aBrain mers studyconductedinBostonham- graduate ing suchhigh-profile companiesasBose, includ- are locatedinBostonorCambridge, half businesses founded by MITgraduates, Ofall thanMIT. looknofurther graduates Boston’s successinretainingnon-native To implicationsof thelarger understand far fromtrivial. is comes toretainingnon-native graduates that Philadelphia’s disadvantagewhenit it’s clear measured inthetensofthousands, thesestudentpopulationsare Considering 8 Philadelphia Boston 64% 29% 86% GRADUATES RETAINED A TaleofTwoCities Non-Native % Natives Overall vs 29 % . hldlhav.Boston Philadelphia vs. A recent 50% 42% 76% regional incomegrowth. * Forcompletereport, thanPhiladelphia(50 rate region canhave alower overall retention mighthelp explain how the graduates Boston’s higherretentionof “explorer” leadstoa1 graduates ofcollege growth inaregion’s proportion 2 alliance ofregionalcivicleaders—every According toCEOsfor Cities—anational would betremendousboon totheregion. year.The economicimpactofthisinflux thelocaleconomy every entering workers it would resultin2,400 more knowledge tennon-native graduates, four outofevery were toretain like Boston, If Philadelphia, theirdegrees. after earning non-native alumsremainintheregion two more grew upintheBostonarea, who MITgrad for every Infact, stayed. ex-students whocamefor collegeand IDG and Terydyne—all threefounded by knowledge workers. rewarded withaready-made stream of ensures thattheregioniscontinually regardless ofwheretheystudied, people, college-educated go-to placefor talented, appealasa Itsuniversal college graduates. for be widely regardedasa “hot spot” America Boston Philadelphia 13 13 Retention ofout-of-region graduates Stayers 2 2 Ot 03,gotowww.ceosforcities.org. 2003), (Oct. 4 1 The ChangingDynamicsofUrban 1 2 %

2 3 improvement in * % Leavers s 64 vs. 35 46 46 57 % andstill ) %

Jen Scaria—Electronic Ink to leave herdegree. aftersheearns seesnoreason could succeedanywhere, whobelieves she long-time Philadelphian, nation’s mostrespectedE-designfirms.This oneofthe atElectronicInk, interned andhasalready ment atalocaluniversity andmanage- She’s inmarketing majoring her hometown metallhercollegeneeds. found JenScaria Hailing fromPhiladelphia, tin Explorers: Philadelphia’s Opportunity Zone

The “explorer” graduates from our sam- sent the region’s—and the state’s—single pling are both mobile and motivated with best opportunity to bring in new talent.

no particular connection to their newest Lockheed Mar region of residence.They no longer live Fortunately, these explorer graduates — where they grew up or near Philadelphia, are not necessarily gone for good—71 where they recently attended college. percent say they would consider moving back to the region in the future.Their

Instead, they’ve chosen to resettle for per- driving motive, in other words, is not y Dina sonal or professional reasons someplace to flee Philadelphia, but to seek out a new.The majority head to other metropoli- better opportunity. tan areas, most along the East Coast.There is little that differentiates many of these It would be great if many of these depart- Anthon destinations from the Philadelphia region. ing new professionals would eventually return; it would be even better if they Where the Explorers are Going didn’t leave in the first place. % of Explorers going elsewhere Data collected from recent graduates reveals several opportunities to influence NYC 30% “explorers-in-waiting,” so that a greater Baltimore/DC 17% number realize—sooner than later—that Boston 6% everything they are searching for is already San Francisco 5% at their fingertips. Outside US 4% PA Other 4% One such opportunity: internships. If a NJ Other 4% student who is not originally from the LA 3% region interns locally during their college Seattle 3% career he or she is twice as likely to remain This New York native interned for Chicago 1% in Philadelphia after graduation. Lockheed Martin the summer after his Pittsburgh 1% junior year in college. Anthony was lucky Elsewhere 24% Now, imagine the impact that 5,000 enough to get a full time job offer from additional internships could have on them…before his senior year even started. Far from trivial are these explorers, num- Philadelphia’s quest to retain its best With his engineering career firmly on track bering more than 8,000 each year, repre- and brightest graduates. at Lockheed’s Philadelphia Division, and an apartment in Manyunk which he shares with some college friends, Anthony has made a smooth transition from college to career.

10 Understanding What Matters Most 1. Internships

Philadelphia produces highly-qualified, college students become intimately versed KIP’s Survey of Recent College Graduates knew existed beyond the campus gates. ambitious graduates, ready to take on the in all Philadelphia has to offer, professionally, demonstrates that internships create lasting Likewise, local internships encourage world and make a name for themselves. academically, socially and culturally. connections between Philadelphia students Philadelphia employers to give preference and the region. to area graduates, providing these students What makes some of them think they While every graduate has his or her with even more incentive to stay. can do that from a Center City apartment own reason for deciding where to launch • Well over half of all students (64%) while others decide it’s best to pack their a career, KIP’s Survey of Recent College who interned locally chose to stay The conclusion is obvious: not only make bags and head to a new zip code? Graduates identified four key areas that in the region after graduating. sure that all Philadelphia students have impact whether college graduates decided access to internships, but also make sure KIP’s survey of recent graduates provides to stay or to go: • Specific to the all-important non-native the internships are top notch. key insight into why some choose to stay segment—those who interned (42%) while others opt to leave. It is much more 1. Internships were twice as likely to remain after By working with local companies to ensure than a happy coincidence that 86 percent 2. Academic Focus college as those who did not (20%). they provide abundant and dynamic intern- of all Philadelphia college graduates original- 3. Personal Connection ships to local students, decision-makers will ly from the region stay after graduation. 4. Practical Matters • Also with respect to non-native ensure that local internships benefit interns, students, those IT, Health and Related employers, and the region alike. One might think that after spending most, These four areas are analyzed in more Sciences, or Business majors who if not all, of their lives in Philadelphia, many detail on the next four pages. interned are at least twice as likely to of these students would be ready for a remain as those who didn’t intern. change of scenery—but something about By focusing attention and resources on Philadelphia makes them choose otherwise. these four factors, Philadelphia decision- Far from just providing work experience, More than any other college student popu- makers can increase the likelihood that internships expose students to academic, lation, these students are well aware of local students, native and non-native alike, cultural and social opportunities they never what Philadelphia has to offer—and they will feel at home in Philadelphia—and will obviously like what they see. make the region their permanent home after graduation. The task facing regional stakeholders is clear: we must ensure that non-native

Jobs vs. Place

“I would have loved to stay in Philadelphia. In any discussion regarding workforce decades, nor do we have the scores of knowledge workers are migrating to those I searched for jobs and found none.” development, the question is always asked, corporate headquarters that define a areas offering a high quality of life and, in Do we have the right jobs to keep college regional image. Rather, the local economy turn, the best job opportunities are now “I felt like I had a wealth of job opportuni- students here? can be described more as a big forest with following knowledge workers. ties available to me in Philadelphia.” small trees, which makes hunting down hot For the moment, the best answer, regard- job opportunities all the more challenging. By marketing the region as both a great “I love working in Philadelphia. It’s the less of the current job market, is that jobs For this reason, KIP remains supportive of place to go to college and build a career, best mix of city life, countryside, and are only one of the factors driving the all efforts to lower taxes and market the Philadelphia stakeholders can hope to neighborhoods.” 12 decision to stay or leave. region as a premier business location. attract and retain more knowledge work-13 ers, as well as lure companies looking for “This is a tough city to find employment It’s true that Philadelphia has not been In today’s new economy, it’s not always a thick labor pool of recently minted due to a scarcity of finance opportunities.” a high-growth employment center for the workers following the jobs. Instead, college graduates. 2. Academic Focus 3. Personal Connection

One less obvious influence on Average Retention Rates As current city planning experts are discov- According to the graduates from elsewhere the non-native students’ decision to stay or for Out-of-Region Students ering, the economic vitality of 21st century who stayed, here are the region’s strongest go “explore” is their choice of cities is dependent as much on the city’s attributes: major. Certain fields of study are Field of Study Percent Retained “coolness” factor as it is on big develop- • Museums, historical sights, and other attractions far more likely to attact out-of- Information Technology 63% ment projects. By comparing Philadelphia Biological and Life Sciences 53% • Arts and culture region students who, down the Architecture and Engineering 52% with Baltimore (see sidebar), we can see • Access to other cities road, will choose to start their Health Professions and Related Sciences 50% that Philadelphia’s student-friendly reputa- Visual and Performing Arts 48% • Entertainment and nightlife career in Philadelphia. tion is already a valuable commodity. KIP’s Law and Legal Studies 44% • Chance to interact with a strong minority community Education 43% survey asked recent graduates to rate Marketing and Communications 36% • Overall, a city/region that provides diversity Fortunately the academic focus for Philadelphia as a college destination on a Social Sciences and History 33% • Good opportunities for minority groups those non-native students most Business and Administrative 28% scale of one to ten. From those results: • A city/region where minority groups feel comfortable likely to stay is well-aligned with Liberal Arts and Humanities 25% • A diverse set of role models in visible positions the Philadelphia region’s core • 60 percent of students from elsewhere • A good place for young people strengths: Information technology, Field of Work who stayed after graduation rated the health sciences and visual and per- Architectural and Engineering Services 67% region an 8 or higher. Information Technology 66% forming arts. Visual and Performing Arts 57% Philadelphia needs to ensure that its Healthcare 51% • Only 4 percent of students from student population knows about all the Insurance 50% By looking specifically at who Manufacturing or Construction 43% elsewhere who rated Philadelphia great amenities the region already offers. becomes a “new Philadelphian” or Advertising and Marketing 39% a 4 or lower stayed in the area. By spreading the word about these positive “explorer” (see chart at right) we Law and Legal Services 35% attributes to non-native college students, Education 33% can see that: Media Production 30% • 78 percent of non-native students Philadelphia decision-makers can hope to Consulting 29% who rated Philadelphia an 8 or higher improve this population’s overall perception • Banking, Accounting, Finance 28% Two-thirds of non-native Civic, Gov't or Non-Profit 24% considered staying. By contrast, of of the region. After that, it will be much Computer & IT majors stayed. those who rated Philly 4 or less, only harder for these students to say goodbye 18 percent considered staying. to a city they have come to know and love. • Half of those studying Health and Related Sciences stayed. It is also interesting to note that only 1 of every 4 non-native Business majors (28%), Average Rating of Regional Attributes • Philadelphia vs. Baltimore Almost half of those pursuing Visual the region’s most popular area of study, Arts and cultural offerings The Impact of Perception and Performing Arts stayed. remain here after they graduate. Internship opportunitues

• Slightly more than half of those An effective argument can be made that, Recently the city of Baltimore, Maryland, surveyed 1,589 enrolled students about their Post-graduate job prospects majoring in Engineering stayed. by confronting Philadelphia’s shortcomings perceptions of the region. KIP conducted an Philadelphia Baltimore (such as retention of Business majors), as almost identical survey.The results were Outdoor activities By focusing its efforts on these areas of well as embracing its many strengths, the markedly different. Cost of living study, Philadelphia can successfully attract region will be in a much healthier position These perceptions appear to have a major more of the college students who are most to support those key industries around Safety impact on a student’s decision to stay or not to likely to stay in the region after graduating. which Philadelphia must stake its future. stay in the region. Over half of the Philadelphia Available places to live 14 students surveyed said they were likely to stay in the region after graduation (51%), while only two in five of the Baltimore students anticipated Public transportation remaining in the area (20%). Source: 2003 Survey of Baltimore Area College Students and KIP/Campus Philly 2002 Survey of Philadelphia Area College Students. 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

4. Practical Matters estments v

Philadelphia’s low cost of living and sizeable • The biggest difference in opinion housing stock provides young professionals between those who stayed and those with a unique combination of affordability who left concerned the importance of SEI In

and opportunity.While not all graduates affordability and housing.While those — place a high value on a region’s affordability who stayed found cost of living and and housing availability—some are more available housing very important, those interested in places they can make money, who didn’t stay were largely indifferent not save money—those who do care to these two factors. about such matters find Philadelphia to be just what they’re looking for. Differential in Key Factors in Choosing Where to Live—Average of Rating 1 to 5 Gina Montana • Sixty percent of students who Leavers Stayers rank “Affordability” as important Affordability, cost-of-living stayed in the region. In compari- Housing—availability, value son, only seventeen percent of Nice communities in which to live those for whom “Affordability” Recreation, outdoor environment, sports is not a major factor stayed in Diversity the region. Public transportation

• Fifty-four percent of those who Arts and Culture rank “Housing (availability & Climate value)” as important stayed, Entertainment and nightlife compared to only 20 percent Job Opportunities of those for whom “Housing” Geographic location

is not a major factor. -0.3 0.0 0.3 0.6

Gina Montana went to college in Philadelphia and found everything she ever wanted right in her own home state. She’s just a short drive away from her The Price is Right Average Rent for an Unfurnished,Two Bedroom Apartment native countryside, but she’s also found the high-profile job of her dreams at Philadelphia’s strong housing Metro Area Average Rent value is more than just a per- SEI Investments. ception.The region offers some New York City $3,598 of the most affordable housing Washington DC $2,028 of any metropolitan area in the San Francisco $1,977 country. By emphasizing this as Boston $1,451 an advantage, Philadelphia can Los Angeles $1,428 hope to retain more graduating Chicago $1,368 knowledge workers for whom Philadelphia $1,174 16 cost-of-living and value-for-dollar are both major considerations. Baltimore $933 Average rent prices courtesy of ACCRA Cost of Living Index: 4th Quarter 2003 Report

Attract Engage

Increase and strengthen the talent pool enrolling and graduating from the Increase the quality and number of connections each college student has region’s colleges and universities. with the region.

Continue One Big Campus positioning and promotion efforts Immerse students in the region through cultural and social opportunities • Raise the capture rate for in and out-of-region prospects by communi- • Continue to expand and promote programs that provide regional cating what makes Philadelphia a unique college experience. Develop exposure to enrolled students early on in their college careers. Campus clear and consistent messaging that can be used by all Knowledge Philly, including its Web site (www.campusphilly.org), the annual Campus Industry Partners to foster stronger collaborative efforts with corporate, Philly Kick-Off (formerly The Philadelphia College Festival), and the civic, and university leaders in and around the region. Philadelphia Arts Student Sampler (PASS), are already established The One Big Campus® Campus Philly connects campaign is dedicated to students with the local programs, but they need additional support to make a lasting impact Target prospects interested in high retention fields of study attracting talent to the community by: on Philadelphia’s college population. region by: • Focus out-of-state and international recruitment efforts on students interested in majors associated with high retention rates: Computer · Exposing, immersing, Remove barriers that impede students from venturing off-campus · Elavating Philadelphia’s Science and IT, Health Sciences,Visual and Performing Arts, and and linking students to • Bridge the “information gap” by improving communications on college image as a premier Engineering. Aligning regional strengths with those students whose the region’s vast cultural, campuses regarding non-academic, off-campus opportunities and inter- college destination recreational, and career major makes them more likely to stay will replenish Philadelphia’s campus activities via a;ternative media source and grassroots promotion. resources throughout · Helping area colleges key industries. their college career Continue to confront the transportaion issues of cost and convience attract better and more that have traditionally hampered students in the past. Further develop students Showcase Philadelphia’s Internship Opportunities · Cultivating a student student discount programs to allow students a greater opportunity to • Enhance the visibility of Philadelphia’s internship and career opportuni- culture through “cross- be consumers off-campus. · Introducing newly ties as a means to attract more students to the region. Let students population” betweeen enrolled students to the region’s many know that, before they even arrive on campus, there will be career Make community involvement a top priority off-campus resources campuses • (social/cultural/career) opportunities waiting for them. Shift a greater focus for enrolled students onto service oriented that make this “one · Building channels for activities. By involving college students as real community partners who big campus” Welcome Back the Graduates local businesses and devote time, energy, and resources to Philadelphia’s neighborhoods, the • Develop a reclamation strategy aimed at all Philadelphia graduates who organizations to reach enrolled student population will become a model for citizenship, and go somewhere else, including both even the Home-Bound and Explorer enrolled students establish connections that will last well beyond graduation. graduates. Many of these students are more than likely to return given the right encouragement. Philadelphia is one campus you’ll never out- Expose summer interns to Philadelphia’s “real” real world grow…and getting graduates to return will prove it. • Provide summer interns with a true Philadelphia resident experience, including residential, social, and cultural offerings. Coordinate housing resources, encourage group intern exploration outings, and organize speakers, dinners, and other social opportunities that allow interns to “test drive” Philadelphia as a post-college destination.

Web Address: Web Address: www.onebigcampus.com www.campusphilly.org

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Retain It’s never been so important for Philadelphia to retain

er Outgr more college graduates. This is already the training ground v Make internships a core element of the Philadelphia college experience. for tens of thousands of future engineers, artists, scientists and CEOs who will some day drive the nation’s future economy. Offer internship opportunities to every Philadelphia’s college students • Provide all 300,000 students in the Philadelphia region with local

ou’ll Ne Philadelphia has the means within its grasp to convince this

internship, mini-internship, externship, and co-op opportunities. Y invaluable resource to stay. By forging personal connections with Provide direct access between the region’s future graduate pool and all students before they even arrive on campus we can more eas- Philadelphia’s employer base by allowing students to gain valuable ily convince them that this is where they’ll want to be after grad- professional experience, showcase their skills, build their resumes, net- work, and connect with the region. uation.To do so, Philadelphia needs to: CareerPhillySM is dedicated to retaining Redefine the Philadelphia internship a young, educated Attract. Raise Philadelphia students’ expectations of the region • workforce by: Work with employers to produce cutting edge internship programs One Campus before they even arrive. through progressive projects like accreditation programs, academic field- · Creating and promoting specific internships and social engagement elements. Incorporate Career Engage. Expose Philadelphia college students to the “campus off internship opportunities Philly’s Internship-in-a-Box program to educate the region’s business campus” throughout their college career. for the region’s leaders on the meaning of a fulfilling Philadelphia internship for both student population the intern and the employer. Retain. Give 100 percent of Philadelphia students the opportu- · Connecting students with employment and Match internships with key areas of study Philadelphia: nity to participate in at least one internship. career opportunities • Cultivate internships that focus on the region’s high retention areas of that exist throughout study: computer science and IT, health sciences, visual and performing The Knowledge Industry Partnership has laid the foundation. Now the region arts, and engineering. Raise awareness with both students and business Philadelphia’s leaders should build upon this framework. The entire leaders that these are industries where jobs are available, and new · Linking students and region needs to play a vital role in all aspects of its students’ graduates are the key to replenishing and growing these industries. recent graduates to the development—intellectual, personal and professional. region’s entrepreneurial and innovation economy Launch summer internship program • Develop a summer internship program that connects each intern Once the action items listed on the surrounding pages are in place, personally with the region. Includes professional development seminars, Philadelphia can aspire to match Boston’s success in retaining housing assistance, and academic application. Each element should be graduates from outside the region.Then, instead of three out of every tailored to provide the intern with additional meaningful contacts in ten out-of-region graduates staying after graduation, four out of ten will the city. stay—a dividend of 2,400 knowledge workers.

And that’s just the beginning. By convincing more graduates to stay, Philadelphia will invigorate its workforce, improve its global reputation as a city of intellect, and attract even more students to the region.Then, when future Philadelphia grads ask themselves,“Should I stay or should I Web Address: go?” the answer will be a no-brainer. www.careerphilly.org The KIP Survey of Recent Graduates questions and results are available at www.kiponline.org. Greater Philadelphia’s Knowledge Industry Partnership KIP is a broad-based coalition of civic, business, government and higher education leaders working together to maximize the impact of the region’s “knowledge industry” of colleges and universities on Philadelphia’s competitive position. The goal of the One Big Campus initiative is to create positive first-hand experiences throughout the student life cycle (prospect>student>graduate), which in turn lead to a stronger emotional attachment with the Philadelphia region and ultimately a personal desire to remain after graduation.

www.kiponline.org

Printing was made possible through the generous support of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and Lockheed Martin.This study was prepared by Collegia, Inc.