ChangeMakerZ Application (Employee)

ChangeMakerZ is 12-month, cohort-based, incentivized professional development experience where young professionals in STEM can find their people, their place, and live their purpose in the beautiful and thriving Roanoke-Blacksburg region. Launch your career through support and connections with industry leaders and peers while gaining cutting-edge skills.

Incentives include:

Cash incentive for completing the program
Professional development in AI and technology topics relevant to your unique work
Registration for both a national AI conference and a young professional conference
Collaborative workspace for those working remotely
Networking and relationship forming to build your career
Being a valued member of a community with peers

The program is limited to 20 participants in the cohort. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the deadline date of April 30, 2025.

Who Should Apply: STEM professionals within 7 years of having completed their associate, bachelor, master, or doctoral degrees or will complete their degree by June 1, 2025. Before the application deadline, candidates must be employed by or seek remote work with a company with headquarters or operations in Virginia. Preference is given to candidates in technology or biotechnology living and working within the GO Virginia Region 2 area.

If your current or future employer is an RBTC (Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council) member, program fees per young professional are $1,250. If a non-member, program fees are $1,750. Fees are payable by the employer on the young professional’s behalf. Please refer your employer to the employer application located on the RBTC Talent website.

Candidates need to be able to travel an average of one day per week to Roanoke or Blacksburg areas to participate in program activities. Most of these activities will occur at the end of and/or following weekday business hours, with the potential for infrequent weekday luncheons and weekend experiences.

When: June 2025-May 2026

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Name*

First NameLast Name

Email*

example@example.com

College Degree Completion Date (Month, Year)*

Which race or ethnicity best describes you?*

Please upload your updated resume (pdf)*

Why are you committed to living in or relocating to the Roanoke-Blacksburg region? *

0/5000

How would this program assist you in achieving your career goals? *

0/5000

Please upload a letter of support from your employer. If you are currently job searching for a position that qualifies you to participate in this program, please upload a letter of recommendation from a past employer.

If you are currently job searching, do you permit Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council to share your resume with employers?*

YesNoN/A

How did you become aware of this program?*

The undersigned hereby acknowledges that the information provided and disclosed to the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council and any other person authorized by the Council is permitted to review the information for selection purposes. Verification may be obtained from any source. We hereby release from liability any person submitting information to the Council for use in the selection of program participants.*

I Agree

I affirm that all statements made on this application, including all attachments, are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that misrepresentation can become cause for denial of admission or expulsion from this program. I have also read the above statement and know that even if I qualify for the program, based on a competitive application process, I may not be selected as a participant.*

I Agree

If I am selected to the cohort, upon acceptance and prior to June 1, 2025, I will provide proof of residency and employment as appropriate.*

I Agree

Signature*

Today's Date

Date

At the Verge Alliance, including RAMP and RBTC, we believe everyone should have access to the tech and biotech ecosystem and its opportunities. We are committed to involving individuals and partners equally and without discrimination of race (including hairstyle/texture), color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, military status, disability, or national origin.