Meghan Taylor of Campbell Hall has watched her college counterparts moving away from the Hudson Valley in search of careers. At times, their moves are farther south than Wall Street; as in right out of the state.
When Orange County Partnership offered the intern the position of business attraction developer, Taylor jumped at the chance.
Taylor is three weeks away from completing her MBA at Mount St. Mary College and eager to bring her talent to Orange County”™s economic development arm.
“I”™m not out of my element, since I”™ve interned here since January. I know what the job demands, and the most exciting challenge is attracting business that will keep great young talent from leaving the county and the state for jobs. I”™d like to see those jobs come here,” she said.
After working as personal banker for JPMorgan Chase in Newburgh for two years, Taylor decided to go back and finish up her master”™s degree. “I knew I wanted to be involved with something more diversified…I found a niche while interning with the partnership. I am excited about the position they”™ve entrusted to me and determined to make a positive contribution.”
OCP President Maureen Halahan says Taylor”™s exuberance and attention to detail is a delight to have on board. “She”™s really a breath of fresh air, bringing the young talent we need to the forefront in the region. We are losing many of our young professionals to New York City and other states. We”™re very happy Meghan decided to choose us rather than commuting two or three hours into Manhattan … and I”™m sure she”™ll work diligently to bring the same quality jobs her friends from school left the area for here to Orange County.”
“Right now,” Taylor said, “I”™m getting to know brokers and site selectors and going out in the field to meet with them. Since I grew up here and have decided to make Orange County my number one priority, I think I will bring something to the table, not just my business acumen, but a strong desire to bring those jobs that my cohorts are leaving the Hudson Valley for to this county. We have a great quality of life, but we need better-paying jobs. The intellectual infrastructure is here. My goal is to let businesses know we have the talent and the space they need to make Orange County a real business contender.”
