Indianapolis, IN-Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College has collaborated with Ascend Indiana to connect more students with high-quality and in-demand career opportunities in Indiana.
Ascend, an Indiana nonprofit organization, helps to connect students to internships and careers through the Ascend Network, a web-based platform, that matches a student’s skills and interests with the best Indiana career opportunities. By signing up for the Network, students have access to more than 750 Indiana employers and receive support from an Ascend Indiana Career Mentor.
Marian’s Saint Joseph’s College is the state’s only “Earn and Learn” program where students complete work assignments with local employers and learn real-world career training while completing their degree. As a mission-driven institution, the focus is to mentor students to ensure they complete the two-year program and move on to a successful career completing a bachelor's degree at Marian University or another four-year program.
"This collaboration with Ascend Indiana enhances the career support already provided by Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College by bridging the gap between education and employment,” said Bessie N. Rigakos, Ph.D., vice president and dean of Marian’s Saint Joseph’s College.
Since its inception in 2016, Ascend has connected more than 5,000 Hoosiers with jobs, internships, and training opportunities in all sectors across the state. Ascend Indiana not only adds a robust resource to the school’s career services but also gives students a comprehensive view of the many rewarding and exciting career opportunities here in the Hoosier state. There are more than 2,000 open jobs on the Network for hundreds of
distinct roles including systems analyst, accountant, engineer, marketing, human resources, and information technology, among others.
“Students using the Ascend Network will experience a platform that is tailored to finding jobs and internships specifically in Indiana in a wide variety of industries that employ more than three million Hoosiers in meaningful and well-paying careers,” said Brad Rhorer, president, and CEO, Ascend Indiana.
“Through the Ascend Network, our students not only gain access to hundreds of Indiana employers but also receive personalized mentorship that prepares them for the workforce. This partnership ensures that our students are connected to opportunities that align with their skills and interests, while providing employers with a pipeline of job-ready talent, reinforcing our commitment to supporting Indiana’s growing economy."
The Ascend Network is a resource offered through The Exchange. During the job search, application, and interview process, The Exchange will continue to provide individualized support and educational resources, in partnership with Ascend. Students can find out more information here: https://ascendindiana.com/.
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About Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College
Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College is dedicated to providing students with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities through its innovative 2 year Earn and Learn program. Our students earn their associate's degree while gaining real-world experience that prepares them to enter Indiana’s workforce with the skills and knowledge employers are looking for. By fostering partnerships with local businesses and organizations, Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College remains committed to bridging the gap between education and employment, ensuring that our students graduate ready to meet the demands of the modern job market.
About Ascend Indiana
A branded initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), Ascend Indiana is committed to making Indiana a place of economic opportunity for all. Ascend connects job seekers to good and promising career opportunities through an innovative job matching platform, the Ascend Network; catalyzes partnerships and provides consulting services to meet high-demand workforce needs through Ascend Services; and conducts research through Ascend Insights to enable systems-level change that positively impacts individuals throughout the state. To learn more, visit ascendindiana.com.
About Marian University
Founded in 1937, Marian University is the only Catholic university in Indianapolis and central Indiana, serving more than 5,100 students, including 4,000 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students, earning degrees in the arts, business, education, engineering, math, medicine, nursing, ministry, and the natural and physical sciences. The university's high-impact, experiential curriculum provides hands-on, collaborative learning opportunities. Marian University has earned the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as a national doctoral/professional university. In 2013, Marian University established its College of Osteopathic Medicine, the first new school of medicine in Indiana in more than 100 years, and in 2023, opened the new E. S. Witchger School of Engineering as part of the university’s continuing efforts to graduate students that help meet the Midwest’s growing STEM workforce needs. The university also provides undergraduate nursing education at Marian University’s Ancilla College in Plymouth, Indiana. Marian's national champion varsity athletic programs include the 2012 and 2015 NAIA Football Championship, the 2016 and 2017 NAIA Women's Basketball Championship, the 2019 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship, various track, and field events, and nearly 50 USA Cycling national championships. Follow Marian University on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tik Tok and Twitter.