MANSFIELD — The Internship program coordinator for OSU and NC State says every internship experience is a good experience for college students.
In addition, if students intern locally, they might just stay locally.
“A lot will stay on,” Tracy Bond, internship coordinator for Tracy Bond, internship program coordinator for OSU and NC State said. “Employers who want to help young people stay here should get involved.”
Austin Baker, of Bellville, didn’t have to leave Richland County to find a job after graduating from NCSC. Baker, the community outreach and marketing specialist for Directions Credit Union, says an internship with the credit union led to a full-time position after he graduated in May 2016.
“I like where I live,” Baker said. “It wasn’t crucial to stay, but I enjoy living here.”
He was immediately offered a part-time position when his internship concluded.
“Nothing changed when I was made part-time,” he said.
He never had to make copies or get coffee for his fellow employees as an intern. He was teaching financial management classes, attending community events and doing the same things he would do as a typical employee. Even his hours were the same.
Then, in January, his position became full-time.
“Even now, they haven’t changed it much,” Baker said. “It’s just more.”
Likewise, Austin Mabe studies social work and has considered staying in the region after he graduates from OSU in 2018. He is the economic and workforce development intern at the Richland Community Development Group as well as the Missions Intern at Mosaic Church.
“I really have a passion for Richland County. I believe that we have the location, resources, and compassionate community members to make us an economic powerhouse here in Ohio,” he said. “We are centrally located an hour between both Cleveland and Columbus which gives us an awesome potential market reach both north and south.
“Mansfield is a fresh canvas of potential where young entrepreneurs can invest their creative ideas and talents to build an innovative community.”
Mabe is also the treasurer for the Mansfield chapter of Best Buddies. He had internships at the Ocean View Church in San Diego, where he worked with youth, and the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office in the victims advocacy department.
“My internships at RCDG, the prosecutor’s office and my treasurer position at Best Buddies all came out of opportunities that were presented through Ohio State,” Mabe said. “Tracy Bond does an amazing job of finding local opportunities for our OSU Mansfield students.
“Without her, I would have never had this incredible opportunity to play a part — a very small part — in the growth and development of Richland County.”
The NCSC and OSU internship program, which is part of career services, is looking for new partnerships with local employers and for strengthened partnerships with those employers that are already involved.
Through the Great Lakes Career Ready Internship Grant, some employers can even be reimbursed for wages paid to NCSC interns with eligible financial need. Another program offers partial wage reimbursement.
Bond hopes local employers will consider interns from both NCSC and OSU.
“Both student populations offer different skill sets,” she said.
The end of spring semester is drawing near, so she encourages employers to reach out to her soon.
Bond can be reached at bond132@osu.edu or 419-755-4325.
