Local Students and Goldman Sachs Coaches Complete Local College Collaborative Program

07 MAY 2018

Forty students from four colleges and universities near the firm’s offices in Jersey City and Manhattan who participated in the Local College Collaborative came together on Friday, May 4, 2018 to present case challenge solutions to an audience made up of Goldman Sachs executives, leaders from academic institutions, and representatives from this year’s program’s partner companies.

Now in its second year, the Local College Collaborative, a six-month program designed to provide broad-based leadership and career readiness training, kicked off in November of 2017 with students from Hudson County Community College, New Jersey City University, St. Peter’s University and Borough of Manhattan Community College.

Over the course of the program, students and coaches worked through business case challenges meant to develop leadership potential, career preparation, and skills in business management, analytical thinking, networking, and presenting. The challenges posed to students ranged from creating an omni-channel selling strategy, enhancing company loyalty programs, unifying company culture, and monetizing real estate through an innovative twist to a rooftop venue.

In addition to working through case challenges, students and coaches participated in site visits and heard from our partner companies’ representatives and senior leadership. Students, coaches, and school staff also came together to participate in a Community TeamWorks project facilitated by Jersey Cares at Ezra L. Nolan Elementary School in Jersey City. Volunteers spent the day cleaning up the school courtyards, painting wall murals, designing planter pots, and creating custom tile mosaics.

Led by the Environmental, Social and Governance team within the Corporate Services and Real Estate division of Goldman Sachs, the Local College Collaborative curriculum was crafted in response to the firm’s commitment to support local students and colleges, and to assist workforce development. To expose students to diverse perspectives and develop the soft skills necessary to begin any career, the curriculum also hosts a speaker series for students to hear from Goldman Sachs managing directors and vice presidents on topics such as bringing your authentic self to work, effective networking, career exploration, and time management.

Anthony Cammarata Jr., a managing director from Corporate Services and Real Estate notes, “In partnership with four local schools, we designed this program to fill the gaps between what is offered through traditional career services and classroom experience with the unique perspectives of working professionals and experiential learning, which this model can provide. The program aims to challenge students to think differently about their career and to prepare high potential students to be competitive candidates in the job market.”