Explore techniques to engage your new hires in your organization and community to strengthen their ties within the company and community. Find out what is important to new college graduate hires and how you can assist in providing opportunities for networking and professional development—two keys to retention. The Harris GRAD program (GRaduate Acclimation and Development) was started in 2002 to improve Harris' ability to recruit and retain new college graduates in the Melbourne, Florida and Rochester, New York areas. Since the program's inception, approximately 700 recent college graduates from schools across the country have participated. The GRAD program is open to Harris employees and interns in their first two years with the company. Through the use of frequent communication and activities, the GRAD program provides new college hires at Harris with the opportunity to acclimate quickly with their peers, the company and the area. It's easy to get started with GRAD, the committee members (who are all current Harris employees and GRAD members) send out an email newsletter to all new college hires upon their arrival at Harris, inviting them to participate in the program. The GRAD program offers a variety of activities in the areas of athletics, community relations, personal and career development as well as social events. Through these events, the new college hires gain a better sense of Harris culture and what the surrounding community has to offer. Harris' GRAD program has been an effective recruiting tool on campus — highlighting work/life balance and exposing future hires to different activities that are available to them. GRAD also gives newcomers the chance to participate in activities they are interested in without worrying about not knowing anybody. The GRAD program has positively affected the company's retention rates.