About Laker Accelerated Talent Link

Work. Learn. Be Hired.

THE ISSUE

How can our community address the labor concerns of the present by doubling down on our investment in local talent - the main driver of strong, sustainable economic growth in West Michigan?

Check out this podcast on the impact of Talent Link students and their experiences with deciding to apply for Talent Link, adding value to the company, and applying skills they learned into the internships to future endeavors.

THE SOLUTION

As a student, you will be participating in an innovative program that will develop your skills in emerging fields, provide a paid internship experience, and have an opportunity for post-graduation employment.

THE RESULTS

Illustrated by GVSU's relationship with the West Michigan economy, participating students and our partner companies will address workforce concerns through a diverse pool of well-prepared, thought-leading professionals, while helping to shape an innovative work & learning program. As a Talent Link student, you will gain hands-on experience with leading partners in the industry and develop your skills to confidently enter the workplace.

Mission Statement

The Laker Accelerated Talent Link is an employer-funded program that bridges academics and professional readiness by combining certificate-based skill-building, structured development, and paid internships. Its mission is to reduce financial barriers for students while providing employers with a strong pipeline of well-prepared, adaptable talent.

Fifth Third Bank awarding a scholarship.

Group of people smiling while looking at papers.

Employer Sponsored Scholarship

Co-Curricular Cohort

and Paid Internship

Post-Graduation Work

By sponsoring a Laker Accelerated Talent Link student, your organization can play a direct role in developing Michigan’s next generation of professionals. A $10,000 commitment supports scholarships that open doors for students while strengthening your future workforce pipeline.

This investment not only helps students achieve their academic and career goals—it also positions your company as a leader in cultivating talent, building community impact, and shaping tomorrow’s workforce.

As part of Talent Link's certificate programs, students join a co-curricular cohort that strengthens leadership, financial literacy, professional life skills, and workplace readiness, while gaining hands-on experience through a paid internship aligned with the skills and knowledge they are developing.

For example, students like Matthew Streeter have applied what they learned in their internships—co-writing reports, solving real data problems, and contributing to projects with real impact—setting the stage for meaningful work and future career success.

Many Talent Link students transition directly into full-time roles after their internship—sometimes with the very organizations where they interned, and other times through the professional networks and connections they built along the way. No matter the path, the internship experience equips students with the skills, relationships, and confidence to take the next step in their careers.