College Initiative

The MetroWest Chamber of Commerce is proud of the work they have done to create a lasting program called the College Initiative. This program teaches, engages and connects college students as future business leaders to our region. Each semester the Chamber partners with Framingham State University to be a part of the college experience. Mentors meet monthly with students from a Communications class to discuss how to set themselves apart when interviewing for a job, they are taught soft skills and how to adapt to different cultires in the workplace.

For this initiative the Chamber developed an affordably priced investment schedule. Sponsor members fund two thirds of the cost of membership. The University provides the remaining membership investment for the student. To attend programs and events, the Chamber has funded scholarships through its Educational Foundation to enable students to more fully participate in and benefit from the many educational and networking opportunities the Chamber provides.

The students are mentored by Chamber members who volunteer as coaches, to develop strong connections within the business community. The coaches assist their students in locating jobs within the region, developing “soft-skills” and providing experiential learning to augment the student’s classroom work.

The hope of this initiative are to encourage business leaders of tomorrow to recognize the value of Chamber membership for their professional careers and to ensure they remain engaged within their respective communities as they continue their professional development.

The group participates in on-site Career days at Chamber member locations such as CommCreative, Mathworks, Bose Corporation, Staples, etc. to give the students a hands on look at the different cultures these businesses create.