Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) has announced a new partnership with Ascend Indiana, a statewide talent and workforce development initiative, to significantly enhance career and internship opportunities for its students. This collaboration will leverage the Ascend Network, an online platform designed to connect students with relevant job and internship openings across Indiana, giving CCSJ students a distinct advantage in the competitive job market. By joining the Ascend Network, CCSJ aligns itself with other leading Indiana higher education institutions, including Purdue University and Indiana University, in a collective effort to retain and cultivate talent within the state, specifically focusing on opportunities within Northwest Indiana.
The Ascend Network, since its launch in 2017, has successfully facilitated over 3,000 connections between Indiana residents and employers. With over 600 employers currently utilizing the platform, it represents a powerful tool for CCSJ to expand its career services offerings. This partnership provides CCSJ students and recent graduates with streamlined access to a diverse range of companies and career paths available within Indiana, ensuring they are well-informed about the opportunities within their own state.
For Calumet College of St. Joseph, recognized as Indiana’s most affordable private university, this partnership underscores its enduring commitment to student success. By integrating the Ascend Network into its career services, CCSJ is equipping its students with essential resources to effectively transition from academic studies to fulfilling careers after graduation. This initiative directly addresses the critical need to bridge the gap between higher education and the professional world, ensuring students are not only academically prepared but also strategically positioned for career advancement.
Matt Vicars, Director of Career Services at CCSJ, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “I’m very excited about our partnership with Ascend. As the workforce begins to become more competitive again, it’s the goal of our department, and the College as a whole, to ensure that our students have everything they need to succeed after graduation. Ascend is definitely going to be a valuable tool in all students’ utility belts going forward.” This sentiment highlights the proactive approach CCSJ is taking to empower its students in a dynamic job market.
Jason Kloth, President and CEO of Ascend Indiana, emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration for the state’s economy, noting, “It is critical for Indiana to retain more college students with relevant skills and abilities to meet employer demand for talent. Partnering with educational institutions such as Calumet College of St. Joseph is essential to equipping students with the necessary tools to get their career started here through an internship or early-in-career job, as well as to helping employers connect to the talent they need.” This statement underscores the mutual benefit of the partnership, serving both students and Indiana employers.
The Ascend Network is readily accessible to CCSJ students and recent alumni through the Career Services department, offered at no cost. The platform delivers tailored job and internship recommendations, guiding students toward meaningful career pathways in Indiana. Alongside this digital resource, Career Services at CCSJ will continue to provide personalized guidance and support throughout the job search process, reinforcing the value of the Ascend partnership. Students interested in learning more are encouraged to visit https://ascendindiana.com. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in Calumet College of St. Joseph’s dedication to fostering student career readiness and contributing to the economic growth of Indiana.
