There may be snow on the ground, but it's time to start planning for summer interns.
Businesses with 500 or fewer employees that need Western Michigan University students to work in science, technology, engineering, and math--STEM--disciplines can apply for funding to help them hire interns.
The Small Company Internship Award Program will provide up to $3,500 in matching funds for a company to hire an intern for summer 2016. WMU has $35,000 to disperse this year, Garcia says, enough to support about 12 to 14 internships at the recommended rate of at least $12 per hour. Funding applications for this summer are due Friday, March 11.
Companies may apply for funding for up to two interns from either one or two schools in the Michigan Corporate Relations Network. However, the maximum award for a company is $3,500 from each school providing an intern. The matching money is being provided through the Michigan Corporate Relations Network. WMU and five other Michigan schools are members of the network, which connects industry to critical university talent in ways that will help the state's economy grow and prosper.
The program is targeted towards companies in Allegan, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties that would like to hire a WMU intern. Preference will be given to small companies that focus on innovative work in the STEM fields, provide an internship where STEM skills are employed and have yet to receive an award through the program.
To apply for funding, download the 2016 application here wmich.edu/businessconnection/hire and email the completed form by March 11 to Lisa Garcia at lisa.garcia@wmich.edu. For more information about the Small Company Internship Award Program, contact Garcia at lisa.garcia@wmich.edu or call (269) 387-6004.
Source: Western Michigan University
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