Despite the high unemployment rate in the state, Nevada employers are still prospecting for up-and-comers to help fill their needs of an educated workforce. This can be seen at the “Business Week” activities at the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Business, Sept. 10 – 17, as students, alumni and local businesses mix and mingle at workshops, presentations, roundtables, receptions and other career-exploration activities.

In fact, nine businesses with ties to northern Nevada have signed up as Corporate Partners of the Nevada College of Business, investing $10,000 a year to support the College and have the opportunity to network with future hot prospects to fill their businesses’ employment needs.

“The corporate partners’ funding primarily supports workforce development, including the activities of Business Week and other efforts to help connect our students, alums and Nevada businesses,” explains Nevada College of Business Dean Greg Mosier. “It’s a win-win-win situation. Our students get great advice and information, help developing resumes, the chance to talk one-on-one with future potential employers and internship opportunities. Our corporate partners get first crack at developing relationships with our students, and then hiring them after they graduate. The state wins too, because it helps keep our educated workforce here in Nevada.”

The College’s current corporate partners include ARVCO Financial Ventures, Employers, Harrah’s Entertainment, Intuit, Microsoft Licensing, Port of Subs, Schneider Logistics, Sierra Nevada Corporation and Wells Fargo. Besides the financial support, the companies interact with students and support the College in a variety of ways during Business Week and throughout the year.

Sierra Nevada Corporation, also a supporter of the University’s College of Engineering, currently has nine Nevada interns on staff and has hired seven recent University graduates so far this year. The company participates in a number of events throughout the year and during Business Week, including career exploration roundtables.

“The partnership is going very well,” said Tom Scharf, technical recruiter for corporate partner Sierra Nevada Corporation. “We profit so much from hiring some of the University’s graduates, and even interns, that we understand that it’s a two-way street, and we very much want to invest in making this a good relationship.”

Schneider Logistics currently employs about 10 recent Nevada graduates, and has had about 20 University interns since it opened in 2007. The company is hosting an open house as part of Business Week, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sept. 15.

Microsoft Licensing has employed 33 interns over the past three years, hiring a number of them full-time. Microsoft employees have also taught classes at the College. Other corporate partners guest lecture for classes at the College. This semester, Microsoft collaborated with the College to have a small seminar of six to eight handpicked students develop a business continuity plan for the corporation, a plan that would help the company get and keep operations up and running after a potential disaster.

“That’s a great thing to be able to put on your resume – that you helped develop a business continuity plan for Microsoft, while still a student,” said Jeff Marshall, operations program manager for Microsoft and a Nevada alum. “It’s another great example of the progression of our relationship with the College.”

Microsoft is hosting “Microsoft Monday” in the Ansari Business Building 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 13, providing career information, demos of their new products and giveaways. The company is also hosting a networking reception at their facility at 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 10, geared for those enrolled or interested in the College’s nationally recognized MBA program.

For more information go to Business Week, or call Jane Bessette, director of career connections and alumni relations at the College, at (775) 682-9144.