BEVERLY, Mass. – For many academic institutions, an internship program is simply a complementary offering that allows a few of its students the opportunity to get some real-world job experience. At Endicott, all students, regardless of their major, must complete the internship curriculum–the only college with such a requirement. The result is a comprehensive program that can truly be classified as unique and without peer.

The students are first introduced to the internship program (which began in 1939) as soon as they arrive on campus. During their first and second years at the school, they must complete two internships for a minimum if 120 hours. During either their junior or senior years, students must complete a semester-long internship, an experience that usually last 14 weeks.

Endicott’s internship program is staffed by internship faculty who are based in their respective academic departments. They help students acquire essential job search skills through required courses, group meetings, individual advising sessions, workshops, and academic coursework. Students work with their internship faculty to identify the right opportunity for their internship. As Dale McLennan, Dean at the Internship and Career Center notes, “Endicott students achieve so much through their three-internship sequence–not only are they able to connect classroom learning to the professional world, and vice versa, but they also develop professional competencies and networks that propel them into successful careers.” Students are offered additional access to work-related resources through the Internship and Career Center¬–special guest speakers from a variety of industries, seminars with real-world applications, and recruitment and networking fairs.

While much of the program’s success can be attributed to the school’s commitment to allowing its students to “test the waters” in the chosen career field, the employers play an equally critical role in its success. They provide the participating students with real-world experience, orientation, and perhaps most importantly, an honest evaluation of their efforts. They also appreciate the college’s approach–as Miriam Macedo of Virtual, Inc. notes “We love that Endicott’s program emphasizes career planning through exploration and allows students the time and resources to really dedicate themselves throughout the school year to focus on their internships. Having been given the right structure and real-world learning experiences, Endicott candidates really thrive in our culture.”

Endicott’s Internship Program enjoys a strong working relationship with a variety of companies in several different industries. Among the organizations with which they school partners are Wayfair, PUMA, PwC, MFS, iRobot, Wellington Management, RSM, US Securities & Exchange Commission, EF Education First, and Omni Resorts.

Students who participate in the program are equally effusive in their praise of its formative structure. Here’s what Abigail Scott, class of 2022, had to say: “As part of my internship at the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, I had the opportunity to attend conferences and assist with events featuring high-profile people such as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen. Even as an intern, every employee at the chamber made me feel incredibly welcome and took the time to help and talk with me on topics I was not aware of, like immigration difficulties and the tax policies in Ireland.”

Endicott’s program extends far beyond the communities surrounding its campus in Beverly, MA with internships having been completed in 30 states (and Washington, D.C.) as well as in 12 international locations. Through the 2020-21 academic year, Endicott students completed 1,687 internships at more than 1,450 internship locations.

But perhaps even more impressive than the scope of the program is its success rate. Among students who graduated in 2019-20, 38% found employment through their internship site or contacts gained through internships. And that same class had a 98% career outcome rate through employment or continuing their education. Reflecting back on the experience, 81% of alumni surveyed said that their internship training prepared them for their current role in the workforce.

This record of success underscores the college’s ongoing commitment to the program. As the school’s president, Steven R. DiSalvo, Ph. D., proudly states “Endicott’s internship program has been a part of our model since 1939 and is proven to prepare our students for success beyond our shores through challenging and meaningful real-world experiences.” And isn’t that what a college education should be all about?

To learn more about Endicott’s remarkable Internship Program, contact Anthony Donaldson at adonalds@endicott.edu or 978-578-2891.

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