Higher Education Notebook: 50 students named to governor’s HBCU internship program
By John Hinton Winston-Salem Journal
Students named to governor’s HBCU internship program
CHAPEL HILL — Fifty students representing nine public and private institutions across North Carolina, including 10 Winston-Salem State University students, have been named to internships through the N.C. Governor’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Internship Program.
“This program is absolutely crucial in helping to link talented students from our state’s historically African American institutions with Fortune 500 corporations through internships,” said UNC System President Margaret Spellings. “I congratulate all of the interns who were selected and wish them the best in their future endeavors.”
Students participated last week in orientation at N.C. Central University in Durham.
The program’s purpose is to connect students who attend the state’s HBCUs with this state’s Fortune 500 companies. The internships also provide participating institutions with the opportunity to develop long-term partnerships with critical industry allies.
The students also attend Bennett College, Saint Augustine’s University, NCCU, N.C. A&T State University, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Fayetteville State University, Elizabeth City State University and Johnson C. Smith University.
The North Carolina Governor’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Internship Program
The North Carolina Governor’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Internship Program was created to connect students matriculating at North Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with this state’s Fortune 500 companies. The benefit to the students is work experience that will increase their competitiveness in the job market. The benefit to North Carolina businesses is access and exposure to an untapped, diverse talent pool. Through this initiative the state hopes to increase the capacity of North Carolina’s HBCUs to connect their graduates to the private sector thus retaining this talent in North Carolina.
With North Carolina home to 13% of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), that state will include a total of 10 universities (five public and five private) to participate in the program.
Internships are the most effective way for students to gain work experience before graduation. In fact, studies show that 7 out of 10 internships turn into full-time jobs. The program, funded by the state, will provide opportunities for HBCU students to participate in paid internships in North Carolina’s top companies. These funds will cover salaries for fifty (50) students. The student’s salary will be covered by this state appropriation. Each student will be paid $15 at 40 hours per week for 8 weeks. Employers may pay an additional amount on top of the $15 per hour.
The University of North Carolina System will serve as the oversight agency for the program with primary responsibilities for budget oversight, compliance, assessment, and reporting. Participating institutions will receive funds for 6-10 interns (based on the budget). Funds are evenly distributed to the ten participating campuses.
