July 1, 2016
Dr. Elliot Hirshman, President of San Diego State University
Over forty Chamber members sat down with the President of San Diego State University, Dr. Elliot Hirshman, at our latest Good Government Speaker Series. The focus of the meeting was workforce development, or specifically: how centers of higher education can effectively train students to become job ready on day one.
Under the leadership of President Hirshman, San Diego State University has raised more than $700 million to support new initiatives including the university’s entrepreneurship centers, which, cumulatively, have made SDSU the 18th “Most Entrepreneurial” university in the nation as ranked by Forbes magazine. By fostering entrepreneurial experiences, SDSU is committed to preparing students for an innovation-based economy and transforming ideas into actual companies.
The meeting was an excellent opportunity for Chamber member business owners to provide input as to what makes a potential hire employable. Business owners are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit talented workers, and spending the time and money to train new employees can also be challenging.
In addition to developing its entrepreneurship centers, the university aims to close this gap by providing workplace experience for its students. By leveraging its extensive alumni network of more than 280,000, SDSU has expanded its Alumni Mentor Program and approximately 3,500 students held internships last year.
“Few things prepare a student to be Day One Ready more than actual work experience and the opportunity to network with future employers… We know from our data and years of research that internships and mentorships provide competitive advantages for our students, and play vital roles in helping them gain employment upon graduation.”
Eric Rivera, SDSU Vice President of Student Affairs
Get Involved
Through its Education & Workforce Development Committee, the Chamber regularly brings educators and employers together for the purpose of advancing San Diego’s workforce. For more information on how you can get involved, please use our contact form below.