Education Matters

by Ryan G. Van Cleave

USF Sarasota-Manatee Students Make the Most of Internships

With the job market only growing more competitive, college students are eager to find ways to stand out from the crowd and secure job placement. Internship experience is one of those ways, with over 80 percent of college students graduating with an internship under their belt as of 2017, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). 

“It’s a good way to test out a career they may have an interest in but don’t yet have experience with,” said Lauren Kurnov, assistant vice president for student success at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM). “They can just get their feet wet.”

Last year alone, 318 of approximately 2,000 students at USFSM were paired with an internship through its Career Services office. NACE reports 60 percent of college grads with internship experience received at least one job offer, compared to 36 percent of students with no internship experience. 

“It’s a terrific way for students to get the real-world, practical experience that employers are looking for,” Kurnov said. “It’s also an ideal way for local employers to get to know our local students.”

Over 91 percent of employers prefer that their candidates have work experience, with 56 percent preferring that it come from an internship,
according to a recent NACE report.

The majority of USFSM students have previously established roots in the Sarasota-Manatee community, having graduated from local high schools or State College of Florida. Having students with established ties in the area encourages year-round community involvement and increases the likelihood that students will remain in the region after graduation. Building relationships with local employers throughout students’ college careers takes that a step further, helping our community retain the best and brightest students after graduation.

Jay Riley, director of business outreach and engagement for USFSM, said the relationships students build now with local businesses can extend long after graduation.

“It’s a mutually beneficial relationship,” Riley said. “Our students gain real-world experience, and these businesses get a chance to cultivate the talent within our walls. It’s a win-win.”

USFSM has existing relationships with multiple community partners, such as Mote Marine Laboratory and The Resort at Longboat Key Club, where students have the opportunity to make the most of these relationships through coursework, hands-on experience and available internship opportunities. 

“We aim to provide our students with the tools they need to go out and impress our community,” Riley said. “We want to build a reputation among local businesses that USFSM students are well-educated and eager to learn.”

Finding the right internship is essential in creating these long-lasting relationships. Sami Araboghli, a sophomore interdisciplinary social sciences major at USFSM, is interning at the office of Congressman Buchanan. 

“My internship is a perfect fit for my future career plans,” Araboghli said. “I aspire to work in the field of diplomacy, and having actual experience in politics is a great benefit. I have been given the opportunity to network with many influential people in our community, and that will definitely aid me in reaching my career goals.”

While he is only a sophomore, the learning experience for Araboghli has proven to be invaluable, preparing him for a future career in politics.

“The most important thing I have learned so far during my internship is the important role that politics and the federal government plays in our everyday lives,” he said. “I get to see the relationship between the people and the government, and it is wonderful to see its operation and its diligent work.”

For Victoria Yoder, a senior professional and technical communication major at USFSM, her internship at Fuse Media allowed her to try something new in a learning-friendly environment. 

“I’m learning to try new things even if I don’t feel fully qualified,” she said. “It’s easy to feel like we have to know everything and have it all figured out before we pursue new opportunities, but sometimes those challenges are what will develop the skills we need.”

Her internship has allowed her gain valuable experience and insight that she might not have gotten in a classroom.

“Learning how to write for a target audience, to research new topics and to work with an editor are three things I will take anywhere I go,” she said. “I also gained experience with WordPress and online publications, which plays directly into my career plans.”

Whether sophomores or seniors, future politicians or writers, students at USFSM are surrounded by opportunities to expand their knowledge outside of the classroom, build relationships with local employers and cultivate their future careers. At the same time, our entire community thrives when talented, forward-thinking graduates choose to launch their careers locally. internships internships

“We’ve got dedicated, hard-working students here,” Kurnov said. “These internships are a way for employers to find out just how good they are, too.”

For more information on University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, please visit www.usfsm.edu or call 941.359.4200.
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