Bridgewater State University has committed to making paid internships an integral part of the undergraduate experience.
To that end, in 2013 the university established the Internship Program Office to connect students with part-time jobs that give them both a paycheck and hands-on experience. Most students also get course credit. Since that time, more than 3,300 undergraduate internships have been awarded. These students have worked on campus and around the world. Stipends paid to these working students topped more than $1.6 million.
The job market is as competitive as ever these days, and gaining experience before graduation is key, said Diane Bell, director of the Internship Program Office.
“If students want to get to where they want in their industry, they need to do internships,” she said.
While the office has boasted impressive numbers in the early going, President Frederick W. Clark Jr. said he wants these numbers to continue on an upward trajectory. He has set a goal of placing 1,000 students a year in paid internships.
To do that, outreach is necessary to students who typically don’t seek out internships. Who are these students? A few years ago, Ms. Bell sought answers to this question. “One of the answers was transportation,” she said. “Also, they didn’t want to give up the part-time jobs they already had. Many of them said, ‘There’s no way I can fit it in to my already busy schedule.’”
Helping students overcome these obstacles is part of the work Ms. Bell and her staff do every day.
While the staff of the Internship Program Office continues its work, others can help out. Ms. Bell suggested some ways:
-encourage students to participate in at least one internship
-connect with her office employers who may be seeking to hire BSU students
-donate used business wear (men’s and women’s) to the Bear Essentials program, located in RCC 204
The upside of an internship for students is beyond measure, Ms. Bell said.
“You can gain confidence, you can possibly improve your starting salary, find a mentor, and network,” she said. “There are so many reasons that internships are important.” (Story by John Winters, University News & Media)