| Local Carbon High students drop by to look at the sheriff’s office display of protective gun locks. |
Among the many organizations reaching out to students at the College of Eastern Utah job fair on March 25, Utah Interns was one of the newer groups offering its services.
Utah Interns was incepted in August of 2003 when Russell Sotheringham of the Utah Valley Economic Development Association saw how internships helped promote economic development.
It was originally thought that the program would only service Utah Valley. However, as Utah Interns began to take flight, Sotheringham realized the need extended throughout the state.
Utah Interns states that its mission is to develop Utah’s knowledge of the economy by connecting university research and students with businesses.
Brigham Young University student Mary Gray, a Utah Interns representative, said the organization aims to create 1,500 internships in the state within three years. Gray is one of four interns promoting Utah Interns to universities and colleges throughout the state.
She said so far the team has received many letters of support from Utah institutions of higher learning and that schools that did not have the means to create such programs are now able to take advantage of the opportunities internships afford.
According to Utah Interns, internships are the key for students to gain experience in a professional setting straight from college.
Internships also allow students to network, use and expand skills and learn a lot about their sponsoring business.
It is projected that 50 percent of interns return to the company where they interned after graduation.
For employers, Utah Interns promotes internships as a smarter way to hire.
Instead of hiring a new employee with high salary and benefits, interns allow employers to preview possible future employees without the commitment.
Employers are also able to establish lasting relationships with universities and knowledge of the economy.
For more information about Utah Interns, Carbon County residents may visit www.utahintern.org.
The site gives students access to a free, statewide internships database, as well as writing tips for resumes and cover letters and guidance on preparing for interviews.