Sioux Falls Job Success Stories

SUCCESS STORIES

Dawn Grider- It’s Good To Be Home
Dawn Grider, the Chief Operations Officer for DocuTAP in Sioux Falls, understands firsthand how important economic development is to the city of Sioux Falls. Grider grew up in the Sioux Falls area, got her electrical engineering degree from SDSU and then moved out of the state to start her career.

“I figured my opportunities would be greater elsewhere, so I moved. I actually lived in the Twin Cities for about ten years before I met my husband, who is from Sioux Falls,” Ms. Grider said. She was working out of her home for a Dallas software company when she decided to make the move back to South Dakota.

“That was about the time of the dot-com bust. I remember telling my husband ‘Great, I’m in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where am I going to find a career opportunity here?’” But Grider was pleasantly surprised when three new doors opened and her career kicked into high gear.

“If I had stayed in Minneapolis—just because of the size of the city—it would have been more difficult to have these same opportunities,” she said. “I truly don’t believe I would be the COO of a medical software company had I stayed in Minnesota.”

Grider admits that as a young college graduate she had no intention of ever moving back to South Dakota. But she said as a mom, she can’t think of a better place to raise her family.

“Sioux Falls and South Dakota have so much to offer. I want our kids to know they can still experience the world while living right here,” Grider said. “I’m very excited to be home.”

Tara Melmer- Home Sweet Home
Twenty-four-year-old Tara Melmer grew up in South Dakota, which made attending the University of Sioux Falls an easy choice. A native of Watertown, she relocated to Sioux Falls in search of educational opportunities.

“I love South Dakota,” Melmer said. “I wanted to stay in the area and Sioux Falls is a great place to live.”

After graduating from USF with majors in Speech Theatre and Education in 2004, she had little trouble finding employment.

“I finished my student teaching in May and graduated, then began teaching in the fall,” Melmer said. “It didn’t take long at all to find a job.”

Melmer has been teaching middle school reading and high school speech for two years.

“The kids are the best part of teaching,” Melmer said. “Watching them succeed is amazing, and they make me laugh.”

With a growing number of restaurants aimed at a younger crowd and the emergence of the downtown area, Melmer strongly believes that Sioux Falls is an ideal place for others her age.

“It’s a social community but a safe community,” Melmer said. “There are a lot of opportunities for young people. I’m happy here at 24, but I could stay here and raise a family.”

And others are starting to take notice. Some of her friends, who moved to larger cities after graduation, are amazed at the changes in the city and the emerging younger vibe.

“Most people have no idea how much Sioux Falls has to offer,” Melmer said. “The city is starting to tune in to our age group and focus on what we want; they know we’re the future.”