Press Release

Linda Gajewski
Director of Communication and Public Relations
219-473-4217      lgajewski@ccsj.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
Calumet College of St. Joseph partners with Ascend Indiana to help students with career and internship searches while providing one-on-one support

Hammond, IN – Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) is partnering with Ascend Indiana to expand the college’s resources for career success to connect more students to good and promising career opportunities and internships in Indiana, through the Ascend Network, the initiative’s online job matching platform.  In addition, this partnership provides Indiana’s leading employers with a unique platform for hiring CCSJ students.  With this partnership, CCSJ joins the ranks of Indiana Higher Education institutions including Purdue University, Indiana University, Ball State University, Ivy Tech Community College, the University of Notre Dame, and others, in the work of connecting quality, qualified job seekers to excellent job opportunities throughout the state.  CCSJ will focus on job opportunities specifically in Northwest Indiana.

Since its inception in 2017, Ascend has connected more than 3,000 Hoosiers with jobs and training opportunities in all sectors across the state.  More than 600 employers are currently using the Network.  The Network adds a robust resource to CCSJ’s efforts to help students and recent graduates find jobs and internships that align with their career goals and provides a lens into the variety of companies and opportunities here in the Hoosier state.

As the most affordable private university in Indiana, CCSJ prides itself on its commitment to students and their success.  This partnership further ensures that students have the tools and resources needed to utilize their degrees and successfully step from the academic world into their new careers.

“I’m very excited about our partnership with Ascend,” said Matt Vicars, director of Career Services at CCSJ.  “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.”

“It is critical for Indiana to retain more college students with relevant skills and abilities to meet employer demand for talent,” said Jason Kloth, president and CEO of Ascend Indiana.  “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.”

The Ascend Network is a resource offered through Career Services and at no cost to students and recent graduates.  Through the Network, students receive personalized job and internship recommendations that lead to meaningful careers in Indiana.  During the job search, application and interview process, Career Services will continue to provide individualized support and educational resources, in partnership with Ascend.  Students can find out more information here:  https://ascendindiana.com.