College of DuPage gets grant to expand student internship opportunities

Students seeking internships as part of their studies at College of DuPage will have more placement options, thanks to increased funding from the Illinois Board of Higher Education's (IBHE) Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program.

The grant provides COD's Career Services program more than $44,000 to reimburse employers for 50 percent of the wages paid to COD interns. This is a 23 percent increase over last year's grant award.

“We are so pleased to be able to offer our students more internship opportunities through this grant,” said COD Interim Manager of Career Services Krystina LaSorsa. “The funds will enable us to partner with local employers who typically wouldn't be able to hire interns and provide our students with crucial experiential learning opportunities.”

LaSorsa said the Career Services Center staff hope to place as many as 20 students in paid internships, a 25 percent increase over last year's figures. Since first receiving the grant in 2010, Career Services has provided more than 110 students with paid internships with nearly 90 employers.

She said it is especially important for students to pursue internships considering the current state of the economy.

“A lot of companies are reorganizing, furloughing employees and even laying off workers,” LaSorsa said. “Many students will need to get into the door by pursuing an internship, which functions as a long-term interview for the student and employer. In addition, internships provide students the hands-on experience they need to better understand the industry they are studying. It provides the student with insight into the real world and opens their professional network.”

She added that she was thrilled with the opportunity to bolster the local economy.

“Employers are always seeking top talent, and this grant helps us to partner with businesses and show them the value of our students and our community,” LaSorsa said. “It's truly a win-win for all.”

The Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program is designed to enhance public-private sector partnerships, expand internship opportunities, reduce student reliance on loans, encourage permanent employment of Illinois graduates in Illinois, and provide links between academic programs and employment.

Learn more about internship opportunities at www.cod.edu/student_life/resources/career_services/.