![]() Richmond has access to so many higher education institutions and employers. There was a need to really dedicate energy and space in the business community to focus on bridging this gap. In reality, we have so many jobs available and a great quality of life here. A lot of young people that were in college, or young professionals did not think Richmond was a safe place, a place that had jobs, a place with a good quality of life and place that was affordable. There was this need to pop that bubble and engage students throughout the year, not just from a professional perspective, but to get them involved in the region and the community.Īndrew: When creating the program, surveys showed that there are a lot of misperceptions about Richmond. We know that students feel like they are in a bubble on their campuses. Before RVA NOW, we had a great young professionals networking group and a K-12 workforce development initiative, but we still had a gap when connecting with college students. As we were developing the program, we heard students had a perception that there weren’t jobs available in Richmond.Īt the Chamber, we already do a lot of leadership development, so our mission at RVA NOW really fit in well. We have such a wealth of talent graduating every year from regional and statewide programs. It hinges on keeping people local and helping employers fill these high-paying jobs that are available. What was the driving force behind wanting to create this organization?Īllison: RVA NOW was created by ChamberRVA to serve as an economic development and acceleration program, focusing on college students. Allison Pollock, Program Manager – RVA NOW Andrew Knight, Program Coordinator – RVA NOW RVA NOW is a relatively new organization. We sat down with them to discuss all the ways RVA NOW serves the Richmond community. Richmond natives themselves, Pollock and Knight were drawn back to the city after college and have dedicated their efforts to improving their hometown. RVA NOW is a ChamberRVA program that promotes Richmond to college students and young professionals as a desirable place to live, work and play and provides them access to resources that will drive their success. That’s where Allison Pollock and Andrew Knight of RVA NOW come in. However, some people have misconceptions about the city, believing it lacks real opportunities for career growth. Anyone who lives in Richmond knows the city has its own unique, wonderful charm. ![]()
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