Local talent meets opportunity
Students at local colleges shouldn't have to go out of town to get professional experience as interns, and local business needn't look further than local institutions to get the talent they need.
That was the consensus of a group of business, college and government leaders who Monday announced the Small Business Internship Initiative to connect students and downtown business, a program they hope will expand to a multi-county area.
"If you look at the diversity of the higher education institutions in our area - there is no skill a business can not find," said Gerald C. Zaboski of the University of Scranton, after a news conference on Courthouse Square announcing the pilot program.
About half of downtown businesses surveyed said they offered or were interested in offering internships, said Leslie Collins of Scranton Tomorrow.
A need exists, but so does a lack of awareness of the process, she said.
Enter the Small Business Development Center at the University of Scranton. Offering an internship may sound straightforward, but it can be a complicated process subject to federal law and colleges' and universities' own policy, said Lisa Hall-Zielinski, SBDC director.
"An internship requires thought and preparation on both sides to be successful," Ms. Hall-Zielinski said. The center will offer employers assistance in setting internship objectives and tasks and connect them with colleges and students free of charge.
The effort is starting in downtown Scranton with three businesses: Carl von Luger Steak & Seafood, Condron & Co. marketing firm and Fanciful Fox Soap & Candle Co.
Restaurateur Robert Dickert, who plans to launch a second downtown restaurant in the summer, said his company has potential internships in management, hosting and marketing. The new restaurant will allow someone to have the experience of seeing a business launch.
Ultimately, the project will be expanded to employers beyond downtown to the center's eight-county service area.
Area businesses that already offer internships often end up with students from a school outside the immediate area, said Lackawanna County Commissioner Jim Wansacz. He welcomed the program to help local students in local internships.
The Rev. Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., president of the University of Scranton, said the initiative will be another tie between area schools and businesses.
"The initiative will encourage students ... to take advantage of all that downtown Scranton has to offer as a place to dine, shop and visit, and now as a place to gain invaluable hands-on work experience," he said.
The first internships will be ready by the end of May, organizers said.
Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com