Corridor Connector connects dozens to new positions

IOWA CITY - Robert Steger was looking for a change.

After his retail business failed to get off the ground two years ago, Steger ended up taking a job as a warehouse forklift operator - a far cry from his background in human resources and management.

But with the help of Corridor Connector Joan Murrin, Steger landed a position with Hy-Vee as an online shopping manager in Iowa City.

'I'm just really excited about it,” Steger said. 'It's definitely been worth the wait.”

Since the creation of the Corridor Connector position last August, Murrin has helped connect 35 people with positions in and around the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area, according to the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce. 'It's been very well received by employers,” said chamber President and CEO Nancy Quellhorst.

In total, 100 businesses and nearly 130 professionals have participated in the service, according to the chamber.

'It's creating a dialogue between businesses and job seekers,” Murrin said of her part-time position, the result of a partnership between the Iowa City Area Development Group, Diversity Focus and the chamber.

The purpose of the Corridor Connector is to streamline the way personnel are matched up with area employers.

Quellhorst said the one-year pilot program has been a success, so the participating organizations are doubling their investments and making the Corridor Connector a full-time position. Quellhorst said they plan to have a new person on the job by July 1.

The three organizations partnered to create the Corridor Job Club, which meets twice a month to expand networking opportunities. Murrin said the club also operates a LinkedIn group, with job openings and articles.

'It fills a lot of different roles for different people,” she said.

Murrin said the Corridor Connector position was designed to be a point of contact, regardless of whether people already are area residents.

But the position, Quellhorst added, also was created to welcome potential residents to the community and introduce them to various employment resources, such as a talent management firm or resume writing service. She said the position helps job seekers strike the right tone with employers.

Overall, Steger said the service allowed him to find positions that were suited to his professional skill set.

'I struggled to find a job until I met Joan,” he said.

After the chamber announced the position last November, Murrin said she was flooded with calls and emails from businesses looking to fill positions. Murrin said she continues to get at least one referral a day, either from a job seeker or a business looking for qualified personnel.

Chad Melloy, director of talent management at The Overture Group in Cedar Rapids, said Murrin has had a positive impact in bringing talented individuals to the area.

'It's a great connection and a great referral source,” Melloy said.

Even though Murrin will step down from the position over the upcoming weeks, she said she is glad it will continue as a full-time position.