The Columbus Dispatch : Interns get leg up on science, tech jobs
The Columbus Dispatch : Interns get leg up on science, tech jobs
Interns get leg up on science, tech jobs
Saturday, June 13, 2009 2:56 AM
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Hundreds of college students in Ohio will have a shot at paid internships next year in technology, bioscience and other fields through the Ohio Third Frontier Commission. Twelve Ohio organizations will receive shares of $1.5 million designated for the internship program in 2010, the Ohio Department of Development has announced.
The Third Frontier Commission Internship Program reimburses the groups up to 50 percent of the intern wage, or up to $3,000. Companies also have the option to offer full-time employment after the internship.
Two organizations new to the program will join 10 previous participants: BioOhio in Columbus and the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education in Cleveland.
BioOhio, a membership and development group for the state's bioscience sector, wanted to get involved because its leaders said its industry was underrepresented. It has applied for 100 internships to place with various companies in the field.
"It's a growing sector in the state," said Bill Tacon, senior director of work force and education at BioOhio. "It's something our industry is looking for. A lot of companies are interested in getting interns."
Since the internship program was created in 2002, more than 3,000 interns have been placed with more than 700 companies.
The internships have taken place in 77 of the state's 88 counties, and have "definitely had a wide influence and impact all across the state," said Bob Grevey, spokesman for the Department of Development.
The amount of money allocated to each business or organization will be decided at a State Controlling Board meeting in July.
Yost Engineering in Portsmouth has been using Third Frontier interns since the program was created. The company typically has two to three interns majoring in computer science or engineering working as programmers.
"We've heard the interns say it's been helpful for how they approach their academics," said Francesca Hartop, chief operating officer. "They know what it is like to meet the requirements for a specific client, so they're paying more attention to detail."
Yost has hired five interns as full-time employees after they've worked with the company's front programmers.
"It works out really well," Hartop said. "By the time we're ready to hire them, they're already familiar with the products and programming and the people here."
The Third Frontier internship program is open to college students with at least sophomore standing and a 2.5 grade-point average who are majoring in math, science or engineering.
"It's a great way for students to determine a right fit for them in the industry," Tacon said.
econnor@dispatch.com
The Third Frontier Commission Internship Program reimburses the groups up to 50 percent of the intern wage, or up to $3,000. Companies also have the option to offer full-time employment after the internship.
Two organizations new to the program will join 10 previous participants: BioOhio in Columbus and the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education in Cleveland.
BioOhio, a membership and development group for the state's bioscience sector, wanted to get involved because its leaders said its industry was underrepresented. It has applied for 100 internships to place with various companies in the field.
"It's a growing sector in the state," said Bill Tacon, senior director of work force and education at BioOhio. "It's something our industry is looking for. A lot of companies are interested in getting interns."
Since the internship program was created in 2002, more than 3,000 interns have been placed with more than 700 companies.
The internships have taken place in 77 of the state's 88 counties, and have "definitely had a wide influence and impact all across the state," said Bob Grevey, spokesman for the Department of Development.
The amount of money allocated to each business or organization will be decided at a State Controlling Board meeting in July.
Yost Engineering in Portsmouth has been using Third Frontier interns since the program was created. The company typically has two to three interns majoring in computer science or engineering working as programmers.
"We've heard the interns say it's been helpful for how they approach their academics," said Francesca Hartop, chief operating officer. "They know what it is like to meet the requirements for a specific client, so they're paying more attention to detail."
Yost has hired five interns as full-time employees after they've worked with the company's front programmers.
"It works out really well," Hartop said. "By the time we're ready to hire them, they're already familiar with the products and programming and the people here."
The Third Frontier internship program is open to college students with at least sophomore standing and a 2.5 grade-point average who are majoring in math, science or engineering.
"It's a great way for students to determine a right fit for them in the industry," Tacon said.
econnor@dispatch.com
posted by Ben Blanquera at
9:26 PM
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