“College Connection” Event Unites Employers, Academia for Stronger Internships, Economy
Tech Collective, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island (AICU) event showcases benefits and best practices for Internship hosting.
Providence, RI, May 09, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Tech Collective, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and AICU Rhode Island partnered to welcome 86 business, government and academic professionals to The College Connection: Attracting Affordable Talent Via Internships in a Challenging Economy event on May 6. The keynote address and panel of students and employers focused on the benefits of internship hosting for companies and provided insight into how to build a successful internship program. Representatives from all 11 of Rhode Island’s higher education institutions were also on hand to connect with employers.
Richard Bottner, Founder and President of Intern Bridge, was the morning’s Keynote Speaker, addressing a range of internship topics including the business case and benefits of hosting interns, strengthening the workforce pipeline, building work plans, compensation and internship legalities. Bottner also addressed the culture and characteristics of the millennial generation. He and the panelists stressed the importance of ensuring a strong personality match with the company’s culture as well developing a comprehensive internship program to benefit the professional development of both the company and the student.
Unofficial numbers estimate approximately 50% of bachelor degree students take on internships before graduation. With 60,000 undergraduate students throughout the state, “that’s a potential talent pool of 30,000 students for employers to access,” noted Daniel Egan, President of AICU Rhode Island and one of the event’s panelists. “Our goal as a community needs to be linking employers with this pool of students thereby taking advantage of the talent, fresh ideas, efficiency, diversity and increased retention rates that internships can provide.”
When asked if internship experiences are compelling students to remain in Rhode Island, panelist Tim Hebert, CEO of Atrion Networking Corporation, responded: “I believe they absolutely are. We are sitting on a mecca of economic prosperity that we allow to leave the state after graduation. We need to restructure our internship programs and retention opportunities to keep our students here – that’s a change we’ll be seeing much more of in coming years. Education and internships are the key to the future of our state.”
Bottner applauded the audience for coming together across industries and interests to invest in internship and economic advancement: “I’ve been to a lot of meetings where universities, employers and government are unwilling to work with each other. That’s why the collaboration you have here today is so huge. It’s day one of many months and years of continuing to embrace and build relationships.”
The College Connection was held in conjunction with Business Expo 2009 and sponsored by Ananke IT Solutions, Atrion Networking Corporation, Hasbro, Inc. and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation.
About AICU Rhode Island:
The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island is an alliance representing the eight independent institutions of higher learning within the State of Rhode Island. Designed to address common interests and concerns of independent colleges and universities within the state, the Association serves as the collective and unified voice of its member institutions. AICU Rhode Island represents its membership on the national level through the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and joins 37 state associations nationwide working to strengthen and address the needs of independent higher education through advocacy and public policy. For more information about AICU Rhode Island, visit http://aicuri.org/wordpress.
About Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce:
The mission of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce is to foster the development of a positive and productive business climate for our community through economic development, business-to-business relationship building and effective public policies and government. For more information about the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.provchamber.com.
About Tech Collective:
Tech Collective is the technology industry association of Rhode Island. Focusing on Community Building and Workforce Development, we are driving technology growth, innovation and prosperity by uniting industry, government and education. Tech Collective builds and strengthens community by creating partnerships, offering thought-provoking forums and organizing state-wide participation in events like Forward Thinking, BioTuesday, Bio 2009, GRRL Tech and Technology Laureate’s Night. In promoting and developing a highly-skilled Rhode Island workforce, Tech Collective drives technology-based education and training programs for students in grades K-16 as well as for incumbent and transitioning workers. For more information about Tech Collective initiatives and events, please visit www.tech-collective.org.
Contact:
Giselle LaFrance
Communications Specialist
Tech Collective
(401) 521-7805 x101
glafrance@tech-collective.org
###
Richard Bottner, Founder and President of Intern Bridge, was the morning’s Keynote Speaker, addressing a range of internship topics including the business case and benefits of hosting interns, strengthening the workforce pipeline, building work plans, compensation and internship legalities. Bottner also addressed the culture and characteristics of the millennial generation. He and the panelists stressed the importance of ensuring a strong personality match with the company’s culture as well developing a comprehensive internship program to benefit the professional development of both the company and the student.
Unofficial numbers estimate approximately 50% of bachelor degree students take on internships before graduation. With 60,000 undergraduate students throughout the state, “that’s a potential talent pool of 30,000 students for employers to access,” noted Daniel Egan, President of AICU Rhode Island and one of the event’s panelists. “Our goal as a community needs to be linking employers with this pool of students thereby taking advantage of the talent, fresh ideas, efficiency, diversity and increased retention rates that internships can provide.”
When asked if internship experiences are compelling students to remain in Rhode Island, panelist Tim Hebert, CEO of Atrion Networking Corporation, responded: “I believe they absolutely are. We are sitting on a mecca of economic prosperity that we allow to leave the state after graduation. We need to restructure our internship programs and retention opportunities to keep our students here – that’s a change we’ll be seeing much more of in coming years. Education and internships are the key to the future of our state.”
Bottner applauded the audience for coming together across industries and interests to invest in internship and economic advancement: “I’ve been to a lot of meetings where universities, employers and government are unwilling to work with each other. That’s why the collaboration you have here today is so huge. It’s day one of many months and years of continuing to embrace and build relationships.”
The College Connection was held in conjunction with Business Expo 2009 and sponsored by Ananke IT Solutions, Atrion Networking Corporation, Hasbro, Inc. and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation.
About AICU Rhode Island:
The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island is an alliance representing the eight independent institutions of higher learning within the State of Rhode Island. Designed to address common interests and concerns of independent colleges and universities within the state, the Association serves as the collective and unified voice of its member institutions. AICU Rhode Island represents its membership on the national level through the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and joins 37 state associations nationwide working to strengthen and address the needs of independent higher education through advocacy and public policy. For more information about AICU Rhode Island, visit http://aicuri.org/wordpress.
About Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce:
The mission of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce is to foster the development of a positive and productive business climate for our community through economic development, business-to-business relationship building and effective public policies and government. For more information about the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.provchamber.com.
About Tech Collective:
Tech Collective is the technology industry association of Rhode Island. Focusing on Community Building and Workforce Development, we are driving technology growth, innovation and prosperity by uniting industry, government and education. Tech Collective builds and strengthens community by creating partnerships, offering thought-provoking forums and organizing state-wide participation in events like Forward Thinking, BioTuesday, Bio 2009, GRRL Tech and Technology Laureate’s Night. In promoting and developing a highly-skilled Rhode Island workforce, Tech Collective drives technology-based education and training programs for students in grades K-16 as well as for incumbent and transitioning workers. For more information about Tech Collective initiatives and events, please visit www.tech-collective.org.
Contact:
Giselle LaFrance
Communications Specialist
Tech Collective
(401) 521-7805 x101
glafrance@tech-collective.org
###
Contact
Tech Collective
Giselle LaFrance, Communications Specialist
(401) 829-8321
http://www.tech-collective.org
Giselle LaFrance, Communications Specialist
(401) 829-8321
http://www.tech-collective.org
Contact
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