My Vision for Minneapolis: Economic Opportunity for Our Students

As a mom of two graduated college students, one from the University of Minnesota and one from Augsburg University, I understand the struggles our graduates face. Earning a degree remains one of the most effective ways to secure a successful financial future. However, between rising tuition, heavy student loan debt, and the uncertainty of finding work in a specific field; this generation of students are facing new challenges.

Minneapolis has a large employer base that offers a range of jobs in healthcare, professional services, and education. However many graduating students are facing fewer career opportunities. Often, the choice becomes accepting underemployment. They are earning less and waiting longer to find a career that aligns with their education.

Without a vibrant city economic infrastructure, our graduates face uneven pay and limited entry-level opportunities. They are left to find work in other cities that are more affordable or offer clearer career paths.

Minneapolis cannot afford this. Without investments to keep our graduates here, our city risks losing its future workforce, as well as the next generation of civic leaders, small business owners, community organizers, and neighbors. Supporting our business community as they build their small and large businesses here, and choosing Minneapolis as their home, we create opportunities for all. 

I believe that the City of Minneapolis can make a difference, and here is what I will invest in as a council member:

I will work to create a Graduate Transition Program. This program would include launching a city-university partnership that guarantees paid apprenticeships and internships for new graduates, with wage subsidies for small businesses willing to hire new employees. This gives students practical experience and reduces the risk for employers. These programs have been successful in other Minnesota municipalities, and in Minneapolis through specific employers. 

I will vote for city contracts to stay local.

This will use the city’s purchasing power to encourage contractors and vendors to hire Minneapolis graduates into entry-level roles. When public dollars are spent, they should help young residents build careers here. We have the potential to invest more in our universities and colleges, and a similar requirement has already been established for our city contracts for public works projects.

I will invest in Neighborhood Career Hubs.

Investing in career resource centers in underserved communities that focus on networking, mentorship, and placement would help bring students and graduates economic opportunity. These hubs should mainly serve first-generation graduates, who may lack professional connections in the field they study. This will ensure that students have opportunities within our city government to learn these skills and about these opportunities. I will also encourage local businesses to work closely with the city’s existing youth programs as full partners.

By tackling student debt burdens with practical job solutions, we can make Minneapolis a place where graduates choose to stay, invest, and grow. Minneapolis must make strategic investments in our younger generations and workforce to increase our economic opportunity. I have a plan to make these investments for our students, and for our city.