College students looking for a meaningful internship this year might want to add the Georgia Department of Labor to their search list. The department has changed its policy of offering internships to high school students in the summer only.
“This year, the internships are being offered year round, and we’re aiming them at college juniors or seniors and technical college students in the last semester of their studies,” said Sam Hall, director of communications for the Labor Department. “By that time in their education, students should have a pretty good idea of what they want to do. Whether they want to work in accounting, communications or rehabilitation therapy, we wanted to offer opportunities that would help them meet their goals.”
The internships have been expanded to 12 weeks to coincide with the college semester system. Students can earn up to $2,400 by working about 25 hours a week at one of the Labor Department’s career centers or offices throughout the state. They may also earn school credit if they arrange it ahead of time with their colleges.
“Students who complete internships while in college gain real-life work experience that will open doors with potential employers following graduation,” Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said. “Interns gain job skills and learn the importance of teamwork, establishing good work ethics, and setting and meeting goals. These are lessons that will prepare them to succeed in the well-educated and highly skilled work force Georgia must develop to rebuild a strong economy.”
With a goal of providing internships that assist students in making better career decisions, and to make them more attractive to potential employers, the Labor Department asked all its offices to determine specific projects in which an intern would be beneficial. The list of positions on the Labor Department’s website (www.dol.state.ga.us) includes internships that help hone skills of students interested in administration, engineering, information technology, legal work, human resources, rehabilitation, staff development, marketing and other fields.
“We’re asking applicants to tell us why a specific internship would help them meet their career objectives,” said Gloria Kusmick, coordinator of the internship program.
The Labor Department will make assignments based on a student’s interests and his or her ability to commute to an office that offers a fitting internship.
“When assigned, we know that the student will have something meaningful to do,” Kusmick said. “We want to give them an opportunity to work and see what that’s all about.”
An intern working in a career center, for example, might be placed on the front lines of helping people find a job. The intern might gain experience by working one-on-one with Labor Department clients, teaching them computer skills, helping them conduct job searches or finding other useful resources.
“Our internships will give college students practical, real-world work experience and put some money in their pockets,” Kusmick said.
Applications are being accepted for summer and fall semesters. To download an application, go to www.dol.state.ga.us and click on GDOL College Internships.
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