Students

Cool City, Hot Careers

Friendly, accessible and cultured, Grand Rapids is a community where you’ll very quickly feel at home. As Michigan’s second largest city, with a metro population of more than one million people, Grand Rapids is on an economic roll.

It was #1 in the U.S. for job growth in 2017, according to Headlight Data. It’s also leading the nation in lifestyle benefits important to young professionals:

• 1 of America’s Top 10 Cities to Start a Career (WalletHub, 2018)
• #1 Place that Millennials are Flocking to in the U.S. to Get a Job, Buy a Home, and Start a Life (Business Insider, 2017)
• #2 U.S. City that Millennials Can Afford – and Actually Want to Live In (The Penny Hoarder, 2017)

Beyond economic and development efforts, the people and places are what make Grand Rapids most vibrant.

This includes our trend-setting beer, food, art and music scenes as well as endless entertainment and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Come see for yourself what Grand Rapids is all about.

The Career Exploration Trip

Discover Tourism GR is open to junior and senior college students interested in exploring careers within the hospitality and tourism industry.

We will select up to 12 students for an all-expenses-paid career exploration trip to Grand Rapids, where they will:

• Meet with local industry employers for opportunities and insights
• Attend a network reception with prominent community leaders and minority professionals
• Participate in the Michigan Hospitality Education Alliance Career and Internship Fair
• Tour Grand Rapids and learn why it's a great place to build a rewarding career and life

All it takes to apply is a submission of your resume and a short essay. The application opens on September 27, 208. Applications are due October 6, 2018. Check out the 2018 Trip page to get started!