Internships available despite funding loss

The college places dozens of students in other internship and similar programs.
By HAROLD GWIN
Vindicator education writer
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University's Rayen College of Engineering and Technology may be losing funding for its Third Frontier Internship Program, but there are still plenty of other internships and similar programs to go around.
The college has placed about 70 students in local engineering, engineering technology and computer science programs through the Third Frontier program over the past two years.
A Vindicator story on the state's plan to cut off funding for that program at the end of June prompted a number of calls and personal inquiries from YSU students involved in other internship, cooperative education and professional development programs who feared funding for their programs might be cut as well.
That's not the case, said Dr. Cynthia S. Hirtzel, dean of the college.
Third Frontier is only one of several programs of its type operated through the college, she said.
"We have long-standing co-op and internship programs and opportunities in addition to that special one-time, internship-focused funding from the state," Hirtzel said. "We place dozens of students through our regular co-op, internship and professional development programs, as does the School of Business."
Other options
There are many other opportunities for students to work in their field while still in school to enhance their educational experience, gain real-world job experience, and help pay for their education that are not associated with the Third Frontier Internship Program at all. They have different funding mechanisms and don't rely on that grant, she said.
The Third Frontier grant was never intended to last forever. It's just sad to note that it will be ending a year earlier than anticipated, Hirtzel said.
The program had been expected to run through June 2007, but YSU and other grant recipients learned in December that the state had decided to end funding in June 2006.
The program reimburses companies using interns up to $3,000 in salary costs, and YSU had nearly 30 companies participating at one point.
There is still Third Frontier money for the spring semester and companies are still able to participate until June, Hirtzel said.
There is also an effort being made to persuade the state to restore Third Frontier funding through June 2007. Grant recipients are expected to attend a meeting in Columbus within the next several weeks to discuss strategy and prepare to present their case.
gwin@vindy.com