“(Michigan) students are leaving to Chicago, New York and San Francisco, and we think it’s great to keep some of our students in Michigan,” said Virginia Abdo, the State of Michigan Workforce Development Agency’s project coordinator.

College students in the Lansing area were welcome to join the conference, with the majority in attendance coming from MSU, Abdo said.

The conference began with dinner served to attendees, followed by opening remarks and presentations from Detroit representatives.

Bruce Schwartz, Quicken Loans’ Detroit relocation ambassador, spoke to the audience to welcome new Detroit employees and offered his company’s help in finding housing and apartments for them.

Susan Mosey, president of Detroit’s University Cultural Center Association, shared information about her nonprofit organization, Midtown Detroit, Inc., which has undertaken projects such as new Detroit streetscapes and park development, greenway planning and construction and residential and commercial real estate development.

“I’m hoping (students) will learn more about the partnerships we’ve developed leading to a more sustainable Detroit,” Mosey said.

A better understanding of the human, economic and social opportunities Detroit holds for young people is crucial to enticing the younger generation to pursue jobs in that area, according to Mosey.

Jeanette Pierce, Inside Detroit’s tour guide and professional Detroit promoter, offered job seekers connections with Detroit employers, as well as tours of the city.

Advertising sophomore Brianna Baker said she attended the LiveWorkDetroit! conference because she heard about it through MSU’s Public Relations Student Society of America group.

“I contemplated whether or not I should come today,” Baker said at the event. “I told myself, ‘Even though it’s early and I’m a sophomore, why not start networking and start looking at opportunities for when I do graduate?’”

Although Abdo said the event was successful in her eyes, she said the conference was a “precursor” to a bigger event, the LiveWorkDetroit! Kick Off, taking place on Nov. 16 at Detroit’s Michigan Collegiate Job Fair.