(PITTSBURGH) April 10, 2012     Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today announced a partnership with local colleges and universities to reach out to graduating seniors, encouraging them to “pick Pittsburgh” post-graduation. In a letter sent via email  to the thousands of graduating seniors at Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, Point Park University and the Community College of Allegheny County, Ravenstahl reminded students of the great reasons to begin their career and make a positive community impact in Pittsburgh.

“A main component of our City’s Third Renaissance is our ability to retain the educated and talented students that attend our world-class institutions,” Ravenstahl said. “Pittsburgh has so much to offer young people, from available jobs to high quality of life and affordability and I’m happy to remind them that Pittsburgh has what they need and want after college.”

The Mayor's email to students, sent today, touts the region’s available jobs and below-average unemployment rate, affordable and unique neighborhoods, and opportunities for community engagement. The email provides links to resources to help students transition to post-collegiate life in Pittsburgh. Websites like ImaginePittsburgh, Pittsburgh City Living and the Propel Pittsburgh Commission help students find jobs, choose which of Pittsburgh’s 90 neighborhoods best fit their lifestyle, and how to get involved in their community. 

 “The University of Pittsburgh expects to graduate over 3,000 students this spring, many of which we hope will begin or continue their careers in Pittsburgh,” said Paul Supowitz, Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations. “As one of the nation’s top public research universities, we take great pride in educating and training the next generation of top-tier professionals and we don’t want to see them leave this great city after finishing college. Mayor Ravenstahl makes it clear that they are both wanted and needed in Pittsburgh’s workforce, and it’s wonderful to see the Mayor take such an interest in keeping some of our best talent in Pittsburgh.”  

"Carnegie Mellon students love Pittsburgh," said Carnegie Mellon University President Jared Cohon. "The City benefits in many ways from the presence of a vibrant student community. I applaud the Mayor for engaging our graduates and for his ongoing efforts to convince the best and brightest to stay here. Many of our students are hired by Pittsburgh companies or companies that have moved to Pittsburgh to be near our universities. Other students start companies and continue the big thinking that brought them to Carnegie Mellon and Pittsburgh. It's a great cycle of success."

The email is the latest of Ravenstahl’s efforts to ensure that the City's skilled, talented and educated young professionals consider staying in Pittsburgh after graduation. The Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program, co-founded by the Mayor in 2007, gives public school students up to $40,000 to pursue higher education. The program encourages young people to work in Pittsburgh post-graduation and give back to the community.

“Right now we’re celebrating the hundreds of first four-year graduates of the Pittsburgh Promise, and it’s so exciting to see so many bright young people come back to Pittsburgh to pursue their careers and make a difference in our neighborhoods,” Ravenstahl said.

Other efforts include the Mayor’s Propel Pittsburgh Commission which works to meet the needs and concerns of Pittsburgh’s young professionals. Composed entirely of members aged 20-34, the Commission encourages greater participation in government, identifies or creates programs and policies related to issues affecting young professionals in Pittsburgh, and informs various elected and appointed officials representing young adults about issues specific to them.

Additionally, Mayor Ravenstahl’s Office of Youth Policy continues to visit local colleges to provide students with information about City initiatives and services, such as servePGH, the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Department of Personnel, to help them get involved in their communities and local government.