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Local Voices

PSGCNJ puts RU alumni back to work

Rutgers University alumni are benefiting the most from the nonprofit that puts unemployed, college-educated professionals back into the workforce. 

After 16 months of operations as an independent organization, PSGCNJ has helped 166 unemployed professionals return to work. Nearly one-quarter of those success stories—23.5 percent—involved someone who has graduated with at least one Rutgers degree and/or certificate. 

“We strongly believe in a workforce that features talented, trained and educated employees—just like our members,” said PSGCNJ Executive Director Kenneth Hitchner, who graduated from Rutgers Business School with an M.B.A. in 2007. “Thanks for our innovative programs, our members continue to prosper along with the recovering economy.” 

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“Ken’s program is a shining example of what it means to give back to your community,” said Maurice Griffin NLAW’94, chair of the Rutgers University Alumni Association Board of Directors. “The work that PSGCNJ has done for Rutgers alumni and for the state of New Jersey has truly made a difference.” 

In addition to Rutgers University, other New Jersey-based institutions also have benefited from the nonprofit’s work, including Farleigh Dickinson University (11 recently employed alumni) and Kean University (seven). 

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The research findings include self-reported data from May 26, 2012 through September 31, 2013. 

About PSGCNJ

PSGCNJ is the nation’s first employment community that helps its unemployed, college-educated members advance their careers by putting them back into the workforce.

The nonprofit’s 1,200 members share three core beliefs:

·      We believe we can do more together than apart.

·      We believe every time that we help another human being, we help ourselves.

·      We believe we can turn a bout of unemployment into an experience that makes us more valuable in the workplace.

The nonprofit’s education program features Accelerated Career Training (ACT) workshops, resume review and mock interview classes. Recently, new programs, such as the Marketing Plan seminar and Improv for Business Communications have been added to the public offerings.

The organization’s innovative workforce development program also drives the nonprofit’s success rate. To gain full access to PSGCNJ’s free services, members are required to join one of six business units that operate the corporation and donate their talent to advance the mission.

To contribute, please visit psgcn.org and click Give Now.

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