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Contributed Photo
SE2, an insurance company based in Topeka, will be at the career fair on Sept. 22. SE2 is partnering with the University to provide internship opportunities for students.
Business school, KU to pilot internship program
CHANDLER BOESE
@Chandler_Boees
A new internship program might allow students to be paid through the University for doing an internship — which means getting actual money, not just credit hours.
"We think it will be a way to really develop the structural connections that our companies and students at our universities need," said Zoe Gruber, the director of workplace training and education for the Board of Regents.
The Board of Regents, the organization that oversees all the public colleges and universities in Kansas, initiated the Innovative Career Education program as a way to build relationships between Kansas companies and universities.
Though the Regents eventually wants to expand the program to more universities and more
companies, they are starting small with the University Gruber said. For now, the program is hoping to connect University students with SE2, a technologybased insurance company based in Topeka.
"It's a great opportunity for us as a company. We really like having interns and the energy they bring to the company," said Janet Dulohery, head of human resources.
Neeli Bendapudi, the University's provost and executive vice chancellor, said via email that she thinks the program is a great move for the Regents and the University.
"This initiative and creative program showcases how strong partnerships across higher education, the state and private industry can result in meaningful education experiences for students, a better prepared workforce for our employers and lower college debt for our
citizens," she said.
The students who receive the internship will spend eight weeks learning about the company and participating in the projects. During this time, called Phase 1, the student's wages will be paid partly by SE2 and partly by the Regents.
When the students graduate from the University, they will have a chance to join SE2 as a full-time employee. After a year of working with the company, the state will offer the graduates a $5,000 reduction in their student loans and another $5,000 after a second year.
After interns complete Phase 1, they and the company have the option to move onto Phase 2, during which time the students will continue working part-time with SE2 until graduation. During this time, a senior employee at SE2 will also be assigned to each student to mentor them.
Both the company and the students will have a chance to opt in or opt out at every stage in the process, Gruber said, but the hope is that both sides will see the program all the way through.
It's a great opportunity for us as a company. We really like having interns and the energy they bring to the company."
"When it comes to the other side of it and it's January of senior year, we want to make sure we're all committed to going down a good path that hopefully leads to a career at SE2,"
Janet Dulohery Head of SE2 human resources
Dulohery said.
As a primarily technology-based company working in a state with relatively low unemployment, SE2 sometimes struggles to recruit enough people, Dulohery said. By piloting an internship program, the company hopes to not only bring in new voices but also develop students into full-time employees.
Dulohery said she's glad to be a part of a program to connect University students with Kansas businesses, because she believes there are opportunities in Kansas that graduates don't know about when they're looking for employment.
Gruber said the program with the University and SE2 is only a pilot program, though. The Regents hope it will eventually grow.
"This is just one more connection to capitalize on those opportunities," she said.
"With a pilot initiative like this, our hope is that
we can replicate this with other companies and other universities." she said.
For now, though, the SE2 internship is only open to University students. While it's mostly being arranged through the Business Career services, Director Jennifer Jordan said it's a joint initiative between all of the career centers on campus.
Jordan said she encourages students to take advantage of this opportunity because "the perks and parameters go beyond what is typical."
The company is hiring interns in several different departments, Jordan said, and the program is open to students from any major or program. For more information, students can talk to SE2 at the Business Career Fair on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Kansas Union.
- Edited by Missy
Minear