BE A PART OF PROJECT-ION
Internship Program Links Students and Employers
Region Aims to Offer 800 Internships
Local economic developments groups would like to see more success stories like that of recent LeMoyne College graduate Beth Backus. After a three-month internship with USA Datanet, a Syracuse-based telecomm company, Backus was offered a full-time analyst position – one that usually demands three to five years of experience. This connection between employer and graduate was made through Project-ION – Central Upstate New York’s premier internship program.
According to USA Datanet HR Manager Kelly Allen, “It is hard to get your foot in the door when you are a recent graduate, but (during her internship) Beth was really able to show us what she could do and demonstrate all of the skills she learned in school.”
In an effort to increase the number of cases where a growing area business is connected with a bright young candidate, a consortium of economic and community development organizations will once again team up with 28 of the region’s colleges and universities to offer Project-ION: Internship Opportunities Now.
Created in 2005 by the Central Upstate Regional Alliance, along with the Metropolitan Development Association (MDA), the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY), Project-ION placed nearly 625 college students in internships with some of the area’s top employers this past summer. This coming year, program organizers are hoping to surpass 800.
With more 350,000 students – the highest concentration in the country – and 38 colleges and universities, Central Upstate New York possesses a deep pool of talent from which employers can draw. According to the region’s business leadership, retaining more of that brainpower for the local workforce is the highest priority.
“We don’t want a single college student to leave without first exploring career opportunities in this region,” said Irwin Davis, president of the MDA. “This program creates a workforce pipeline between our industries and our region’s colleges and universities. And it gets students off campus and gives them the hands on experience that can lead directly to employment.”
Project ION acts a clearinghouse for regional internship opportunities. Employers who already offer internships, or would like to do so, can simply post information on www.Project-ION.com. Information on the web site will reach students through a number of channels including direct mail, campus publications, and college and university career services.
Syracuse Chamber of Commerce President, Darlene Kerr points out that retaining talented young people in Central Upstate New York, to fill professional positions, is a major focus of the Chamber’s member companies.
“This is one of many initiatives where, working in collaboration with the MDA and MACNY, we can pool our resources to address an issue of vital importance to all of our members. A successful internship experience between a single student and one of our area employers is a proven way to retain talented, career-oriented young professionals in our region. Our current goal is create at least 800 of those relationships.”
Randy Wolken, President of MACNY agrees. “It is vitally important to recognize the role internships play in entrenching the potential and emerging workforce in our region. Manufacturers are constantly seeking out talented employees to join their efforts in competition in the global marketplace. Highly skilled, demanding, high tech jobs are a part of any manufacturing operation. These jobs are filled tomorrow with today’s college interns. We are working with our members to bridge the gap by linking internships with prosperous career opportunities.”
To learn more about Project-ION, or to participate, visit www.Project-ION.com. The web site allows employers to post internships directly online, view peer organizations’ postings, and download useful information to assist in the internship process. Questions about the program should be directed to info@project-ion.com or Frank Caliva at (315) 422-8284.