Ashland University has been awarded a three-year, $444,015 Career Ready Internship Grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corp. It is anticipated that the grant will allow Ashland University to create nearly 200 new paid internships for students with financial need during the 2015-2018 academic years.

“With this three-year Career-Ready Internship grant, Ashland University can expand on the successful 2014-15 pilot program in which 53 newly created internships were established with employer partners,” said Karen Carter Hagans, executive director of AU’s Career Services Center.

Hagans said the 2015-2018 Career Ready Internship grant will focus on the creation of 198 internship offerings with employers who are interested in developing or expanding a partnership with Ashland University’s Career Services Center.

“This effort will be launched through the membership with regional chambers of commerce in Ashland, Medina, Orrville, Richland and Wooster along with targeted outreach to additional employers who are interested in an internship program within their organizations,” she said.

The Career Services Center team at Ashland University encourages employers who are interested in creating new internship opportunities through this grant-funded program to contact the AU office at 419-289-5064 or email Karen at [email protected].

Following three months of administrative planning, employer outreach and student recruitment, Ashland University will place eligible juniors and seniors in paid internships beginning in January 2016.

“Paid internships benefit students, colleges and employers,” said Richard D. George, Great Lakes president and chief executive officer. “Students gain meaningful workplace skills and are more likely to earn degrees and use their internship experiences to help secure good jobs upon graduation. Colleges will see increased completion and job placement rates, and employers gain a pipeline to fresh talent. It’s a win-win-win.”