Internships Relaunching: New Opportunities for Students
Southeastern, VT – Since launching in 2014, the BDCC Internship program has partnered with hundreds of employers and career services professionals to connect students to high-quality, paid internships. Participants in the program have made lasting connections with Windham County employers and come away with critical career skills.
“The learning experience that I received from this internship is immeasurable. I have worked for a handful of years, in a variety of departments and environments, but none could compare to the level of education and real-life practice that I had received from The Richards Group.” —Carley Wainwright
In the weeks leading up to the Governor’s Stay Safe, Stay Home order, BDCC’s new Talent Specialist began connecting with a network of employers and career centers to build upon these successes. But as the scale of the growing pandemic became apparent, BDCC put the program on hold in order to assist business owners with their immediate needs and navigating state and federal aid programs. During this time colleges and college students have been adapting as well, finding ways to complete the semester’s work and mapping alternatives for the summer and fall.
While businesses begin to regain their footing and plan for the future, we are reminded that the region’s need for a skilled, agile workforce remains as strong as ever. Internships are an opportunity for motivated students to assist organizations in a time of great transition and gain invaluable experience in the process.
In recognition of these realities, BDCC’s Internship Program is relaunching this week, starting with five application-ready positions and more on the way. In addition to preparing resources for employers who wish to take their internships virtual, BDCC is offering ongoing support in developing meaningful hands-on learning experiences in a radically changed work environment. A Harvard Business Review article points out the potential value of creative restructuring. “With jobs at the heart of how work gets done, leaders have an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine them by rearranging work and having employees take on different responsibilities to better respond to the evolving needs of their organizations, customers, and employees.”
The Vermont Center for Photography is one such organization looking for a candidate that will help them to engage their existing audience and grow their reach by implementing innovative digital strategies. Interested college students or recent graduates can read more about the position and apply here.
Employers who are in a position to develop an internship opportunity can read more here or contact Casey Haynes, BDCC’s Talent Specialist, at chaynes@brattleborodevelopment.com.
About the BDCC Paid Internship Program
Funded by the Vermont Department of Labor, the BDCC Paid Internship Program connects currently enrolled college students and recent college graduates with Windham County companies through paid internship opportunities. The program attracts students from across the County, the state, and the country to start their careers in Southern Vermont, providing work-based learning experiences to students, and qualified workers to the County’s growing businesses and nonprofits. BDCC partners with Community College of Vermont, Landmark College, Marlboro College, World Learning/School for International Training (S.I.T.), Union Institute and Vermont Technical College to help connect students with internship opportunities. BDCC works directly with numerous other higher education institutions in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts to attract and recruit college students to opportunities in Windham County. Internships are a critical part of BDCC & SeVEDS efforts to increase the size and quality of the workforce. For more information please visit: https://brattleborodevelopment.com/bdcc-six-college-collaborative-internship-program/
