Tapping Local Talent, Fueling Regional Growth

In May, around one-quarter of students across the Claremont Colleges don their robes, receive their degrees, and leave campus to begin the next chapter of their lives. For most, that means heading elsewhere to start their first post-graduation jobs. But how many leave simply because they aren’t aware of what’s possible right here in Claremont? What if more of them saw Claremont not just as a place to study—but as a place where their ambitions can take root?

Career decisions and transitions are often shaped by mentorship and work-related experiences during college—such as summer internships or projects grounded in real-world challenges. At the Claremont Colleges, students are encouraged to seek out these opportunities, whether through capstone projects like Harvey Mudd’s Clinic Program or their senior thesis, or through the many graduate-level capstone projects, such as KGI’s Team Master’s Projects or capstone projects at CGU’s School of Community and Global Health. The undergraduate colleges encourage, and often help to facilitate, these summer internship experiences. 

But a common challenge persists: many of these internships take place far from Claremont. And the high cost of short-term relocation and housing can limit access for many students.

What if more of those opportunities could be found right here in Claremont? For local business leaders, this is a moment to consider: could offering a student internship create value inside your company? These aren’t just resume-building exercises for students—they’re strategic opportunities for companies to bring in fresh energy, explore new ideas, and get short-term help on high-impact projects. Many interns bring technical or digital skills that can accelerate innovation. For companies thinking long-term, internships often become soft landings for future full-time hires. And in a small business, adding even a single talented employee can transform what a company can achieve. 

With so much talent concentrated in Claremont, why do barriers still exist between local businesses and the students in their midst? Can we create win-win opportunities where regional companies tap into this rich pool of talent, while offering students the mentorship and career exposure they need?

At Innovate Claremont, we believe the answer is yes. Stronger partnerships between the Colleges, local government, and regional businesses would not only enrich student experiences, but also strengthen and diversify the local economy. The companies most likely to benefit—and to contribute—are those that are ambitious, innovative, and committed to growing our region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. While Claremont itself is a small town, our broader region has the capacity to support student-driven innovation and fuel business growth.

Of course, building bridges between academia and business is never simple. Even in dynamic hubs, barriers persist between universities and the private sector. Silicon Valley might be an exception, where a long-standing exchange of talent and ideas between universities and startups has fueled a cycle of innovation. Claremont is smaller, but that’s a strength: here, relationships are easier to build, and local players can come together around a shared mission of regional development.

We know the barriers. Universities can be insular, and so can companies. It’s rare to find a faculty member or university administrator with deep connections to the local business community—and vice versa. Businesses may know that talent exists on campus but not know how to access it. Even finding the right office or department can be a challenge.

That’s where Innovate Claremont comes in. We’re working to lower these barriers and build lasting connections between the Claremont Colleges and the local economy.

In 2024, Innovate Claremont partnered with the City of Claremont to pilot a new kind of collaboration. Using American Rescue Plan Act funds, the City offered small business grants to local companies affected by the pandemic in 2023–24. A total of $285,000 in ARPA grants went to 19 Claremont businesses, with an additional $5,000 incentive for those participating in the Innovate Claremont–Internship Collaboration Program with the Colleges.

This is just the beginning. We envision a multi-year effort—in partnership with the City, the Colleges, and regional business leaders—to help more students gain real-world professional experiences locally.

Such engagement benefits everyone: students, businesses, and the broader civic community. And over time, we hope more members of each graduating class will see that exciting, meaningful opportunities exist right here in the Claremont region.