Central College was awarded a $1,500 grant through the Enterprise Holdings Foundation.
The grant will be used to support Central College students who choose to intern at unpaid sites. Funding will be distributed by the Career Center through modest stipends per semester or summer to assist primarily with transportation costs to the internship locations.
Although there are no shortages of appropriate internship opportunities for Central students, many say that finances are an obstacle in their decision to partake in unpaid internships. In the past two years alone, about 74 percent of internships for academic credit have been with nonprofit organizations unable to compensate interns.
The stipend won’t cover all of the student intern’s costs per semester or summer, but it will make a difference in whether a student can take a particular internship.
“Enterprise is a great partner with Central College here locally, as well as nationwide,” said Kathy Thompson, director of the annual fund. “We have had current students intern with them during the school year, as well as gain full-time employment with Enterprise. They know the power of an internship and are pleased to assist Central College students in such endeavors.”
From left: Kathy Cashen Thompson, director of the annual fund; Pat Kitzman, director of the Career Center; Jessica Short, talent acquisition specialist for Enterprise; and Jordan Zantingh, Pella Enterprise Manager.