Internships connect coursework with real-life experiences for students, create talent pipelines for employers, and help colleges and universities align curriculums with business needs.
The experience of one
Delta College student interning at
Dow perfectly illustrates the value of students spending time in professional environments.
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Photo courtesy of Lance BeringerLance Beringer believes his experiences working in a co-op job and as an intern at Dow are providing valuable experience and connections.Lance Beringer, a 2023 Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School graduate, is enrolled in Delta’s 3+1 program, a cooperative venture between
Northwood University and Dow. He started working at a co-op job at Dow in May 2024 and will start an internship in May 2025.
Beringer expects to reap many benefits from the experience.
He’s pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems, and his co-op job begins in Dow’s Finance Department. During his stint at Dow, Beringer will rotate through different areas of Dow’s management and technology departments.
After his year as a co-op, Beringer will move into an internship in Information Systems at Dow. There, he expects to build his skills through mentorships and networking opportunities. He’ll work with people he otherwise never would have met.
There are differences between the two types of experiences – one of which is competition.
“The co-op that I’m in had around 10 applicants, but these internship programs can have 3,000 applicants. It’s absolutely crazy how competitive they are.”
Co-ops and internships often have different timelines.
“I have the opportunity to work on multiple projects and gain more depth in a field (as a co-op) than an internship due to the longer timeframe,” he says.
Interns typically work on a project for the few months they’re in the position.
The two programs also have much in common.
“Another good takeaway is really getting into that network environment,” Beringer adds. “You’re in that network of professionals in the field that you want to be in, so you’re learning from them.”
The networking opportunities go beyond his immediate co-workers. Dow hosts events with companies such as Microsoft. Through those work-based events, he’s able to access opportunities he might not have had as a student.
Each of these experiences fits well with Beringer’s future plans.
“Networking is crucial as it helps students build connections that can be beneficial in their future careers,” he says.
Other benefits to both the co-op and internship positions are developing soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Beringer says it also helps that he gets feedback and performance evaluations.
Elizabeth Arroyo, Manager of Workforce Experience at Delta College, coordinates internships and co-ops. She says internships not only give students a better understanding what they’ll do on the job but also help them consider different careers.
“They're actually able to do some exploration and really get their feet wet and see if that's the direction they want to go. It could even open their eyes to something else,” Arroyo says.
The business community also benefits, she says.
“They may be working on a project where they need so many extra people, but it’s not going to be long term, so instead of hiring a short-term employee, they can provide a student with an internship opportunity. They walk away with that experience, and then the business satisfies that need for employment.”
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Photo courtesy of Northwood UniversityBeringer's plan is to finish his college career at Northwood University. Before he graduates, he'll have completed both an internship and co-op job at Dow.Jim Reaume, President and CEO of Bay Future, agrees.
“Internships in Bay County offer invaluable opportunities for local students to gain hands-on experience, fostering the development of a skilled workforce that supports the region's economic growth.”
Arroyo says businesses and employers who use interns also build a workforce they can draw from in the future.
“From a business standpoint, you’re helping to create the talent pipeline, and the cool thing about that is that 87% of the students that graduate from Delta stay in the area. So they’re also making an investment in the community.”
Reaume also says that in the long run, the community reaps benefits from these programs.
“By bridging the gap between education and employment, these internships help cultivate talent that contributes to the long-term prosperity of the community.”
Employers also have the chance to shape what skills colleges teach students.
“Businesses get to see what the students are learning, making sure that aligns with what they’re learning in the classroom, and that it actually does translate into the workforce.”
Arroyo says business leaders serve Delta Dollege’s advisory boards so they can make recommendations and have input into what the students are doing.
“Certain industries will seek out Delta students just because they know what the curriculum is. They know that they’re learning what they need to learn.”
Advisory board members can also give input into changes that need to be made to fit their industry’s needs.
“It gives us feedback too because they can say, ‘These are things that students are lacking and we need to work on and that can even just be in their employability skills.’ “
As Beringer says, his co-op and internship each help prepare him for a future in the business world. While Beringer doesn’t know if he’ll end up working at Dow after graduation, he does know the internship and co-op make him more employable.
“Through my co-op, I have had the opportunity to work on multiple projects, collaborate with industry professionals, and gain valuable insights into the corporate world.”
Arroyo says he’s right. Students who have an internship are nearly 80% more likely to be hired for a job within the first six months of graduation, she says.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, entry-level jobs are dipping, but employers still emphasize internship programs.
In its 2024 internship report, the NACE stated “Hiring for internships overall is expected to remain stable, signaling the importance of these programs for recruitment: Overall, employers expect to bring on approximately as many interns this summer as they did last, even though they anticipate their overall entry-level hiring to dip. This points to the value they place on their programs.”
Arroyo says internships are available at any point in the student’s academic career, and they benefit both students and the community. Businesses make that investment in the student, and they stay here, which she says is a win-win.