Think Greensboro Marketing Brochure

Our Programs 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

Discover All That Greensboro Offers 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.

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 thinkgso.com 1

Programs by the Numbers As of 2024: Our programs deliver opportunities to enhance skills, network and get to know Guilford County. Take a look at some of our recent achievements.

200

internship opportunities posted by our partners

1,304

$18.03

10,454

partnerships with businesses, organizations, entrepreneurs and experts

followers on social media

275

average internship wage

jobs posted in 2023 by 141 companies

3,800 contacts on email list

1,753+ in-person attendees

96 events/programs represented in nine zip codes

171

student applications received for 2024 program

Fellows participated in the 2024 program, a 80% increase from 2023

Of those applicants:

Responding fellows indicated the following:

39% generation students

86% Guilford County after

graduated from a Guilford

86% built a network to help

are interested in staying in

identify as 1st-

graduation

25% County high school 72%

85

them professionally

attend one of our local university/college partners

current Boomerang families have relocated back since 2020

86% feel more prepared to

indicated interest in a

79% career in Greensboro 2 Think Greensboro

87

apply for job opportunities

Boomerangs have moved back from

14 states

Recognized nationally on Livability.com; Business NC; and the “work-from-anywhere world” book, If You Could Live Anywhere by Melody Warnick

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think future + Campus Greensboro

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

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My advice to students in the Fellows Program is to make the

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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.

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!

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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

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*

Campus Greensboro Fellows Program 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.

U.S. News & World Report

*

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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 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.

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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.

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

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think opportunity + synerG

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

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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).

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!

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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.

Cohort-style programs that have an application process for admittance

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!

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think innovation + Boomerang

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.

“

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.

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!

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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

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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!