Think Greensboro is an initiative of Action Greensboro that connects talent with diverse opportunities in Greensboro, North Carolina. Its three programs cater to different segments of the population. Campus Greensboro offers students experiential learning and networking to jump-start their careers. synerG supports young professionals through resources, learning opportunities and networking events. Boomerang attracts skilled professionals back to Greensboro, creating a thriving community.
Together, these programs play a vital role in building a vibrant workforce and fostering a sense of belonging, ensuring Greensboro remains a hub of innovation and opportunity for all.
Campus Greensboro
Envision your future in Greensboro. Through Campus Greensboro, we’re connecting talented college students with our business and leadership community. We’ll help you build your network, enhance professional skill-sets and explore the city of Greensboro. campusgreensboro.org
336.387.8358
campusgso@actiongreensboro.org
synerG
Connect, collaborate and advance. synerG is a thriving network that gives the city’s young professional community opportunities to strengthen their leadership skills, promote diversity and accessibility, and shape the future Greensboro for the better.
synerg.org
336.387.8350
smcguire@actiongreensboro.org
Boomerang
Now is the time to come back. Boomerang attracts skilled professionals back to Greensboro, creating a thriving community. If you’re interested in relocating back, the Boomerang Greensboro team would love to help.
boomeranggso.com
336.387.8354
cthompson@actiongreensboro.org
Programs by the Numbers
As of 2024:
1,
304 student applications received for 2024 program
39% identify as 1stgeneration students graduated from a Guilford County high school 25%
Our programs deliver opportunities to enhance skills, network and get to know Guilford County. Take a look at some of our recent achievements. attend one of our local university/college partners 72% indicated interest in a career in Greensboro 79%
200 internship opportunities posted by our partners
Responding fellows indicated the following: $18.03 average internship wage
171
Fellows participated in the 2024 program, a 80% increase from 2023
Of those applicants: are interested in staying in Guilford County after graduation built a network to help them professionally feel more prepared to apply for job opportunities 86% 86% 86%
Boomerangs have moved back from
14 states
87 partnerships with businesses, organizations, entrepreneurs and experts
275 jobs posted in 2023 by 141 companies
3,800
10,454 followers on social media contacts on email list
1,753+ in-person attendees
96 events/programs represented in nine zip codes
85
current Boomerang families have relocated back since 2020
Recognized nationally on Livability.com; Business NC; and the “work-from-anywhere world” book, If You Could Live Anywhere by Melody Warnick
Think Greensboro
think future + Campus Greensboro
Greensboro is home to more than 50,000 students enrolled in eight colleges and universities: two HBCUs, an innovative law school, a private school steeped in Quaker values, a college for women and a college that was the first for women in North Carolina, the most diverse public university in the state, and a community college where every kind of learner can advance. All with distinctly proud histories. All with impressive local and far-reaching impact. All tied together by a city that is driven to learn. Guilford County is North Carolina’s University Community where the community is our campus.
Meet Tori Batts
An alumni of the Campus Greensboro Fellows Program, Tori Batts is now a preboarding navigator with Cone Health, responsible for both external and internal candidates during the hiring process. During her participation as a fellow, she held an internship with Cone Health and participated in many program events. Her involvement with Campus Greensboro helped impact
My advice to students in the Fellows Program is to make the most of it and to be engaged. Put your all into it. You’ll be able to grow both professionally and as a person.
“her professional network by providing opportunities to improve upon and hone in on skills that make her successful, such as learning to lead with energy. The mentorship aspect of the program also helped her build her network.
Scan the QR code to learn more about Tori’s Campus Greensboro experience!
Guilford County Colleges & Universities
First and only women’s college in the nation with an on-campus Women’s Business Center
No. 1 university in the nation for teaching excellence
Campus Greensboro Fellows Program
Established in 1838 and recognized for academic advising and leadership programming
Recognized as a “College That Changes Lives” by CTCL.org for more than 20 years
Offers degrees in more than 80 programs and 100 technical diplomas and industry certificates
No. 1 undergraduate teaching for a regional college in the South*
No. 1 public historically Black university in the nation*
Ranked no. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility*
The Campus Greensboro Fellows Program is a transformative summer program combining a paid industry-specific internship with intentionally designed opportunities for a student’s professional growth. The Campus Greensboro Fellows Program is a gateway for students to network, build skills and engage with the community, and an introduction to Greensboro as a place to flourish as a young professional. The Fellows Program provides students:
Hands-on industry experience through a paid internship that aligns with their career aspirations.
Leadership development in an intensive, custom-developed, two-day training program.
Strategic networking opportunities that include connections with influential business and community leaders across Greensboro.
Community mentorship including personalized guidance from a mentor to help achieve professional goals and assist in getting to know Greensboro.
Engagement and connection with other college students spending the summer as a fellow.
Campus Greensboro Day
Campus Greensboro Day is a special day dedicated to celebrating the invaluable contributions of college interns in Greensboro. Campus Greensboro Day is an ideal platform for local businesses, employers and advocates to recognize and connect with the city’s emerging talent.
200+
interns, business leaders, employers and mentors joined the celebration in 2024
Campus Greensboro Day is officially recognized by the City of Greensboro and Guilford County.
Refresh Learning Series
Powered by insights from the Action Greensboro Talent and Workplace Survey—a trusted data source on industry, talent and workplace trends in Guilford County—our Refresh Learning Series offers timely training in essential business skills. Designed for students, young professionals and community members, this series keeps learners updated on the Triad’s ever-evolving talent landscape and skill needs.
Student
Engagement & Recruitment
Each year, our dedicated student engagement team reaches out to over 3,000 students across our partner colleges and universities, as well as students nationwide. Through a mix of on-campus events, digital campaigns and our exclusive job board, we strive to attract and retain a diverse, highly skilled workforce vital for the modern knowledge-based economy.
3,000+
students reached across our partner colleges and universities and nationwide
think opportunity + synerG
According to Action Greensboro’s recent 2023 Talent and Workplace Survey, Gen X employees (born between 1965–1980) currently occupy the largest number of roles in the Guilford County workforce, followed by Millennials (born 1981–1996). The number of Gen Z employees (born 1997–2012) is approaching that of Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964).
Welcome to synerG, a dynamic community of young professionals committed to making Greensboro, North Carolina, a hub of opportunity, innovation and inclusivity. synerG is more than just an organization; we’re a movement working to attract, engage and connect the next generation of leaders and visionaries in the young professional demographic to all that Greensboro has to offer.
Meet Julia Walker
As both an estate planning attorney at Susan Hunt Law and a synerG Young Professionals council member and YP Development co-chair, Julia Walker is a champion for helping individuals and families plan for their life and legacy. With synerG, young professionals have the opportunity to engage in the community, meet fellow peers and enhance their career-building
“
I developed the Grow Group program, a young professional networking experience that meets weekly, to give individuals the opportunity to get to know others.
“
skills, with the hopes that they will stay here and build community. She’s been vital in developing programming for young professionals, such as Grow Group.
Scan the QR code to learn more about Julia’s synerG story!
synerG Programming
On Tap
Monthly networking events open to any young professional living or working in the Greensboro area and beyond. These events are drop-in style, free to attend and change locations across the city each month. A great place to make new friends, meet new connections in different industries and explore the city.
Lunch & Learns
Free educational sessions open synerG members and the general public that cover topics related to professional development, personal development and civic engagement. These sessions take place virtually and in person roughly once a month.
Wellness Series
Fitness and wellness classes or experiences provided by experts and fitness businesses in Greensboro that offer a different kind of social networking opportunity for Greensboro YPs. These sessions are typically free and open to anyone in the synerG community.
Field Trips/Tours
Intermittent opportunities for synerG members to tour facilities, companies or businesses in the area for a behind-the-scenes look and an opportunity to connect.
Making Connections
Semiannual networking event focused on connecting YPs to seasoned professionals and leaders in the community. These events are held in different formats such as speed networking and panel discussion.
Lead Your City
Annual leadership summit specifically targets young professionals. This summit brings together talent in and around Greensboro for a daylong event featuring a keynote address, panel discussions and breakout sessions. Attendees grow their professional and personal leadership skills while connecting and networking with experts, community leaders and other local young professionals.
Remote Coworker Club
Monthly meetups for young professionals in Greensboro who work remotely or in hybrid positions. The club meetings create an opportunity for networking and making connections with other remote “coworkers” while spending the day in a one of Greensboro’s premier coworking spaces.
Young Professional Educators Academy*
Structured five-week program for Guilford County Schools educators that helps them develop leadership and community engagement skills while earning CEUs. The program provides participants with connections to community leaders, classroom support, relationships with other teachers and experience in young professional organizations.
Career Curious Cohort*
Exploratory and skills-building program that serves as a platform for young professionals to navigate the job search together with the help of local experts. Career Curious Cohort is an annual program open to any young professional seeking a new career opportunity in Greensboro. The program takes place virtually over the course of five weeks.
Grow Group
Weekly morning networking group designed to help YPs build connections and get your name out in the community. Attendees have a spotlight to share who they are and what they are seeking (professional connections, volunteers, new friends, referrals, etc.). Grow Group also holds an occasional session in the evening.
And More
synerG is a flexible and dynamic organization, and our offerings throughout the year reflect that. We often hold events and programs that don’t fall into a specific category. In the past, these have included sip and shops, voter registration drives, community volunteer events, and more!
*Cohort-style programs that have an application process for admittance
think innovation + Boomerang
Boomerang Greensboro is a creative and unique effort to recruit “boomerangs” back to Greensboro. Boomerangs are people who grew up in Greensboro or went to college in Greensboro and have moved back after time away living in another city. This distinct population is uniquely targeted for their familiarity with Greensboro, roots with local family and friends, and a special appreciation for the growth of the community. Campaign strategies include direct mail, digital advertisement and a concierge service to assist talent in connecting with professional opportunities, schools, housing and more. Since 2021, Boomerang Greensboro has recruited and welcomed over 75 families back to Greensboro.
Meet Ethan James
A graduate of UNC Greensboro, Ethan James has made a name for himself as a YouTube star. His channel, “The Honest Carpenter,” boasts over 750,000 followers eager to learn from this professional tradesman. After years of living in Raleigh, Ethan boomeranged back to Greensboro to grow his business further with Greensboro’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Greensboro is a city that I love and know really well. It’s the perfect place to take the next step for the channel, to branch out and diversify my content even more.
“With the help of Boomerang Greensboro, Ethan launched a studio at the Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, where he has tripled his audience and is finding support in creating content and advocating for tradespeople.
Scan the QR code to learn more about boomerang entrepreneurs!
Community & Corporate Partners
ALT HR Partners
American Home Furnishings Alliance
APAC-Atlantic, Inc., Thompson Arthur Division
apexanalytix
Arch Capital
ArtsGreensboro
B Signature Professionals, LLC
Bearded Goat
Belk, Inc.
Bennett College
Berkshire Hathaway Yost and Little Realty
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Piedmont
Biscuitville Fresh Southern
Brady Services
Branch Banking & Trust
BreakThrough Physical Therapy
BridgeTower Media
Center for Creative Leadership
Centric Brands
Charles Aris, Inc.
Choice Care Navigators
City of Greensboro
Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro
Cone Health
Cone Health Foundation
CPL
Cross Company
Culp Home Fashions
DaVinci Aerospace
Deloitte
Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP
Double Hung Historic Windows
Downtown Greensboro, Inc.
East Greensboro NOW
Eastern Music Festival
Eastern Triad Workforce Initiative
Elon University
Ennis Flint
ESTAS
Family Support Network of Central Carolina
Fastenal Company
First Bank
First Tee – Central Carolina
Five Rings Financial
Fox Rothschild LLP
Future Fund
Gat Creek
Global Brands Group
Global Business Coalition for Education
GP Supply Company
GreenHill Center for NC Art
Greensboro Bound Literary Festival
Greensboro Builders Association
Greensboro Business League
Greensboro Chamber of Commerce
Greensboro College
Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau
Greensboro Downtown Greenway
Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc.
Greensboro Jaycees
Greensboro Jewish Federation
Greensboro Montessori School
Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Association
Greensboro Science Center
Greensboro Sports Foundation
Greensboro SWARM
Guilford College
Guilford County Government
Guilford County Schools
Guilford Education Alliance
Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center
Guilford Technical Community College
HAECO
High Point University
Honda Aircraft Company
ITG Brands
Josey Freight
Junior Achievement of the Triad
JVI Mobile Marketing
Kellin Foundation
Kona Ice
Kontoor Brands
Launch Greensboro
Lincoln Financial Foundation
Lincoln Financial Group
LMS (Lambertson Management Services)
Marsh McLennan Agency
Merchconnect
Midtown Financial Advisors
Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum
Mona + Associates Design, LLC
Nassar Creative
NC A&T State University
NC Homeowners Alliance
NC Institute of Political Leadership
NC MWBE Coordinators’ Network
Northwestern Mutual
Piedmont Triad International Airport
Postworthy
Precor Manufacturing LLC
Preservation Greensboro
Procter & Gamble
Proficient Health
Progressive Business Media
Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants & Hotels
Ready for School Ready for Life
Replacements, Ltd.
RLF Communications
RTriad
S&ME, Inc.
Schnabel Engineering, Inc.
Sharpe Pursuits, Inc.
Shirley T. Frye YWCA of Greensboro
Sister Circle International - Circle Kids Enrichment
Social Designs Consulting
Southern First Bank
Stearns Financial Group
Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
Susan Hunt Law
Syngenta
Teach For America
TeamLogic IT
TEKsystems
The Brooks Group
The Fresh Market, Inc.
The Office of Congresswoman Kathy Manning
Thermaco
Toleo Foundation
TowneBank
transform GSO
TREBIC
Triad Financial Advisors
Triad Tech Services
Truliant Federal Credit Union
UNC Greensboro
UNC Greensboro – New Student Transitions & First Year Experience
Unifi
VF Corporation
Volvo Group
Women’s Professional Forum Foundation
Xtern Software
You Can Vote
Action Greensboro is generously supported by: The Cemala Foundation, Cone Health Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, The Edward M. Armfield Sr. Foundation, Joseph M. Bryan Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Phillips Foundation, The Stanley & Dorothy Frank Family Foundation and Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation.
Think Greensboro and think opportunity. From campus and young professional networking to community initiatives that spur inclusive economic growth and vitality, find out how to get involved at thinkgso.com.
Scan the QR code to meet our team and access more resources!
