UM-Flint to Host Event to Increase Impact of Internships in Michigan

Employers and educators are invited to attend an August 6 event focusing on growing internship opportunities and advancing the impact they have for students, businesses, and communities throughout Michigan.

"Intern Advantage: creating a talent pipeline through community partnerships and resources" will be hosted by the University of Michigan-Flint at the Riverfront Center. It will feature workshops designed to launch, expand, and engage new stakeholders in internship programs. UM-Flint School of Management Dean Scott Johnson will be a speaker at the event.

The Michigan Career Educator & Employer Alliance (MCEEA), a statewide collaboration aimed at creating relationships and leveraging resources for the advancement of career and internship opportunities across the state, is coordinating the event. The Prima Civitas Foundation (PCF), Michigan State University (MSU), UM-Flint, and Davenport University are among the MCEEA partners.

"Many employers are looking for ways to attract and retain talent, but aren't sure where to begin," notes Amanda Dumond-Avila, Prima Civitas Foundation's director of talent initiatives and co-creator of the Michigan Internship Initiative. "By the end of the event, attendees will have resources and information to immediately develop an internship program."

Internships are increasingly becoming important hiring tools for employers. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers' 2013 Internship & Co-op Survey Report (download PDF), 48.8 percent of interns were later hired as employees with the companies they interned for, and 88.9 percent of those hires remained after a year. With nearly 40 percent of recent graduates moving out of the state, internships remain an important talent retention method.

In addition to workshops focusing on "traditional" internships, the event also features a presentation on working with international student interns. Speakers will include Athena Trentin from Global Talent Retention Initiative (GTRI) and Malin Clark from UM-Flint's International Center.

"Many employers could benefit from working with international students, but haven't taken that next step," said Dumond-Avila. "Our focus on international internships will demystify the process and highlight the benefits of connecting with international students."

Attendees will receive an Employer Internship Toolkit, advice on developing job descriptions from HR professionals, information about Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) talent programs, contact information for local colleges and universities, and other resources.

The cost is free but seating is limited. Registration and event information are available at EventBrite.com.