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Excellent internship experiences
are directly related to post-college job
placement, but can pose challenges for
the students seeking them. Historically
internships have been non-paid, which
can be especially problematic during
the summer when many students need
compensation (financial aid packages
do not extend beyond the academic
semester). Another challenge is location.
Internship opportunities are frequently
located away from a student’s residence.
WISE addresses quality and fairness of
pay and provides housing.
After a competitive application
process, 19 sophomore, junior and senior
students were selected to participate
in the program. Each completed an
on-campus internship preparation
workshop. Once completed, a 10-week,
off-campus internship began, during
which students worked 35-40 hours
per week. Lycoming College provided
on-campus housing for each participant.
Host-employers compensated the interns
with a $3,000 stipend or collaborated
with the college to fund the position.
“I was very fortunate to have received
an internship opportunity through
LLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
WISE,” said Meghan Hughes ’15. “As a
math and economics double major with
a minor in finance, I worked side-by-
side with folks in the industry that I am
planning to have a career in. The WISE
program gave me the chance to learn
things that I never could have learned in
the classroom.”
Working together, the college, student
and the employer set learning goals for
students. Throughout the summer, WISE
committee members facilitated seminars
on topics including communication in
the workplace, professional development,
etiquette and using the online
networking application, LinkedIn.
“Students have their education
experiences in common,” said Anne
Landon, IMS internship coordinator
for Lycoming College and WISE
Committee member. “What will
stand out to future employers are
students who also have related hands-
on work experience complemented
by professional development skills
at the time that they graduate. This
is exactly what WISE offers. It opens
doors, provides valuable networking
opportunities, builds confidence and
promotes personal and professional
growth.”
WISE also expands Lycoming’s
presence in the local community. In the
process of establishing the internships,
partnerships were formed between the
college and many local businesses, non-
profit organizations and government
agencies.
Shafiquallah Mujadadi, a senior
international student majoring in
political science, interned as an assistant
community development specialist at
RETTEW Associates. “I worked with a
number of government entities around
Pennsylvania. Most of the projects
were local, which made it an especially
interesting experience because its impact
could be felt immediately.”
•
With the leadership
support of trustees
Don Hughes ’73 and
Stan Sloter ’80,
Lycoming College
launched the
Williamsport Internship
Summer Experience
(WISE).
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www.lycoming.eduT H E CO L L E G E