(Columbia, SC) – Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) presents two opportunities for residents and college interns to get more connected to Columbia this fall. Capture Columbia, a free program for college students who intern or work locally, will take place October 19– November 9. Crash Course Columbia, a day-and-a-half professional development conference, will be held October 27–28. Each program provides unique opportunities for boosting enthusiasm for the greater Columbia, S.C. region. Registration is open and more information can be found online at ourcor.org.
“I fell in love with Columbia for many reasons, because I saw so many opportunities”, says Mayor Daniel Rickenmann at the Summer 2021 Capture Columbia Graduation. “I challenge these students to think about Columbia when making their career choices, think about the opportunities that lie here in our community. What COR is doing for our city is incredible and with Capture Columbia on your resume, people are going to notice.”
Fall registration is open for free Capture Columbia Program
From October 19 to November 9, Capture Columbia will convene on Wednesday evenings, 5–7 p.m., for networking, professional development and insider experiences at different locally loved locations. The free program provides opportunities to meet community leaders and power players, from government leaders to C-suite executives of companies with strong internship or entry-level job programs. Any student participating in a fall internship, apprenticeship or working in the greater Columbia area can register for Capture Columbia, now through October 6. Employers can also nominate applicants to participate through the registration form. Students must commit to all four events in order to graduate from the program. Learn more at capturecolumbia2022.com
BullStreet Bash, October 19 – Kickoff at Segra Park with city leaders for an exclusive update on burgeoning developments within the BullStreet District. Refreshments will be provided along with behind-the-scenes access to the Columbia Fireflies.
Main Street Mingle, October 26 – Starting on Boyd Plaza, participants will split into smaller groups for a walking tour of the Main Street District, meeting business owners and exploring historic sites along the way. Local eats will be provided.
WeCo Walkabout, November 2 – Meet the people behind the restoration, upkeep and development progress happening across the region’s three rivers. Learn how to access our rivers as we walk through the growing river district and West Columbia followed by refreshments at Savage Craft Aleworks.
Capture Columbia Celebration, November 9 – Capture Columbia will conclude with a networking power session at City Market in the Vista featuring a panel of community leaders where great ideas and positive energy will fill the room. All participants will be honored with a special commemoration.
Capture Columbia’s inaugural year was led by MBLG and welcomed 75 students to five events throughout the summer of 2021. COR’s strategic partners — Experience Columbia SC and Richland County Economic Development — play a vital role in COR’s talent retention programs. Both programs are made possible, in part, by a grant from The Knight Foundation Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation. Capture Columbia sponsors include Nephron Pharmaceuticals, First Citizens Bank, BlueCross Blue Shield SC, Aflac, First Community Bank, Khan Development Group, Rhodes Graduation Services Inc, Chernoff Newman, Colliers, and Adams and Reese.
Tickets for Oct. 27-28 Crash Course Columbia are available
COR’s mission to boost talent retention continues with Crash Course Columbia, a program built for professionals who are new to the region or new to the working world. Tickets for the October Crash Course Columbia are on sale now and open to the public. Discounted tickets are available for members of local nonprofits or networking groups for $399. General admission tickets are $500 per attendee and include the cost of all food and drink, experiences, and transportation. All participants who go through Crash Course Columbia receive a complimentary one-year COR membership (a $75 value).
This season’s Crash Course Columbia kicks off on Thursday evening in Five Points with cocktails at the Graduate Hotel followed by dinner at Saluda’s. Friday morning starts with coffee and breakfast from one of Columbia’s oldest treasures, Drake’s Duck-In, a guided walk down Main Street with Historic Columbia and a visit to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden where attendees will get a one of a kind experience with the animals. The adventure continues through the afternoon with lunch at WeCo’s newest addition, D’s Wings, and a stroll on the Cayce Riverwalk with Palmetto Outdoors.
After working up a thirst for local refreshments, the tour will receive a private tasting at Steel Hands Brewing with head brewer and a professional development session. The day concludes with an art crawl through The Vista and happy hour overlooking downtown Columbia’s sunset at The Capital City Club. Transportation and all expenses are included throughout the tour. Each year, Crash Course returns with a new itinerary to highlight new developments and local gems. This will be the final tour of the year with this itinerary.
“I really enjoyed exploring the city, trying some new food and drinks, making new friends, and learning a lot of new information about Columbia,” Connor Burton, Data Analyst, Capgemini and Crash Course Columbia local champion. “When I first moved here, I thought it would be a short-term stay, but I am now going on my third year and don’t have plans of moving any time soon. Over the past year or so, I have come to love Columbia and all that it has to offer, and this event helped to give me an even deeper appreciation for the city.”
Packages are available for businesses that plan to send multiple team members through Crash Course Columbia. Since the program’s inception, 15 corporate partners have participated, including Ag First, Capgemini, Chernoff Newman and Nephron Pharmaceuticals. Crash Course Columbia thanks its current program sponsors, Blue Bike SC and Fit Columbia, and all of the participating local partners that make each tour a unique insider experience.
Connect with Capture Columbia
Website: ourcor.org/events-service/capture-columbia/
Instagram:@capturecolumbia | Facebook: @capturecolumbia
Connect with Crash Course Columbia
Website: ourcor.org/engage/crash-course-columbia/
Instagram:@crashcoursecola | #crashcoursecola
Facebook: @crashcoursecola
Connect with COR
Website: ourcor.org | Instagram:@our.cor | Facebook: @columbiaopportunityresource
LinkedIn: Columbia Opportunity Resource
