POTSDAM — Local business owners, educators, and community members will gather next month to explore fresh ways to engage with North Country college students beyond traditional job placements.

The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Potsdam Chamber of Commerce, and Associated Colleges of the St. Lawrence Valley will co-host "Beyond Internships: Building Stronger Connections Between Students & Our Community" on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Schuler Educational Resource Center at Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Ave.

The program features a panel of student leaders representing Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, SUNY Canton, and SUNY Potsdam. Panelists will share their perspectives on student life, leadership, and community involvement, highlighting ways regional businesses can connect with student organizations and activities outside the traditional hiring pipeline.

A networking mixer with refreshments and a cash bar will follow the discussion, offering business leaders, students, educators, and community partners a space to explore new collaborations. 

Attendees are also invited to arrive early for an optional tour of Clarkson’s Maker Space beginning at 4 p.m.

According to organizers, the program is designed to build even more connections between campus communities and local businesses. Attendees will have the opportunity to look beyond standard internships and find new ways to collaborate, support student leadership, and strengthen the regional economy.

This is the fourth year of these university-business mixers. Some of last year’s attendees,of which there were more than 80, noted the value of the networking: “Being able to speak one-on-one with the college representatives who were tabling, and the students present, was invaluable,” said one business leader.

Admission to this year’s mixer is free, courtesy of the Associated Colleges of the St. Lawrence Valley, though advance registration is required by Friday, Oct. 2. To register visit: https://tinyurl.com/stlcbusinessconnections. 

Questions regarding the event and program can be directed to Karen Kus at acslv@potsdam.edu.