Marked by it’s rapid growth in enrollment and subsequent size, Grand Valley State University is adding a few more numbers to it’s bragging rights following the most recent board of trustees meeting. University officials reported GVSU’s economic impact on West Michigan rose to $680.4 million, a $40 million increase since last year. In addition, the university boasts record numbers of internships for the 2009-2010 academic year.

“Grand Valley’s presence in West Michigan has led to nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars worth of economic activity and more than 10,000 jobs in the private sector — mainly in businesses that provide goods and services to the university,” said Matt McLogan, vice president of public relations.

McLogan said each year Career Services send out a survey to each recent graduate. Survey results show 88 percent of recent graduates (students that have graduated in 2009 or 2010) are employed or pursing advanced degrees and the number of graduates working in West Michigan jumped from 58 percent to 76 percent within the same year.

Rachel Becklin, assistant director of Career Services, said the national conversion rate from intern to employee is about 50 percent. She said more employees are seeing the value of hiring student as interns, which benefit both parties in the long run.

“They get to test an employee – it’s almost like a three-month interview,” Becklin said. “And the students also get to see if it’s going to be a good fit for them in terms of the culture or type of work.”

6,811 GVSU students completed internships or student teaching in the region during the 2009-2010 academic year, which is up 15 percent from the previous year and reportedly saved businesses more than $25 million.

“A lot of times those internships will either turn into permanent position upon graduation or might potentially lead to a permanent position,” Becklin said. “So it’s definitely making a very positive impact.”

Through construction, officials said 700 trade and construction jobs were created, pumping $32 million into the economy in 2010 with continued work on the Mary Idema Pew Library and Seidman Business School projects.

“What it says is that we are both an economic anchor and an economic engine for West Michigan,” McLogan said. “So families that send their students here already know the value of a Grand Valley education to their children and others may wonder if their tax dollars or other kinds of support, if that’s a useful investment. And the answer is: you bet it’s a useful investment.”

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