Survey Reinforces Value of Internships to Finding Careers

April 28, 2011 - PRLog -- Employers recruited more than half their interns for full-time positions last year, the highest rate of intern-to-staff hiring in a decade, according to survey results released Thursday from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). The survey showed that companies turn 58% of their interns into full-time employees.

It’s  the highest conversion rate NACE has seen since the organization started tracking this on an annual basis in 2001. The findings from the annual survey are a strong sign that interning could be a direct path to full-time work for students. The value of internships is no surprise to students, faculty and administrators at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, PA.

As part of the curriculum, Harrisburg University students participate in real world learning experiences through internships, co-ops, and job shadowing. These hands-on experiences allow students to apply classroom learning and dig deeper into their fields of study while exploring possible careers, and gaining insight and personal references from local professionals. Students are expected to complete a full semester internship as part of their graduation requirements. What’s the result? Students learn it, know it, and they get to do it. Regardless of their major, students graduate with competencies and skills that employers and community leaders desire. Many students go on to find employment at the same organizations in which they interned, because internships are on the needs and capabilities of the host company.

Organizations where Harrisburg University students have interned include Penn National Insurance,Dauphin County Coroner's Office, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Commonwealth Media Services, Capital Blue Cross, Pinnacle Health System, Penn State Milton Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare - Bureau of Information Systems, Justice Network (JNET), GeoDecisions, Skelly and Loy,Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - State Veterinary Laboratory, PSECU, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Highmark, Binder Park Zoo, Pennsylvania Department of Health, SMART Consulting, Metro Bank, Holy Spirit Hospital, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Downtown Center, Arcus, ProSanos Corporation, Anteil, Susan Graham Consulting, Troeg's Brewery, and University of Maryland - Amish Research Clinic.

Ninety-two percent of HU students have been employed in their field of study at graduation.

For more information on the real-world learning experiences that are a hallmark of the education at Harrisburg University, contact Sara Kehler at Skehler@HarrisburgU.edu or call 717.901.5157 or skehler@harrisburgu.edu  

Founded in 2001 to address Central Pennsylvania’s need for increased opportunities for study leading to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, Harrisburg University is an innovative and ambitious private institution that produces graduates who provide increased competence and capacity in science and technology disciplines to Pennsylvania and the nation. Harrisburg University ensures institutional access for underrepresented students and links learning and research to practical outcomes. As a private University serving the public good, Harrisburg University remains the only STEM-focused comprehensive university located between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

For more information on the University's demand-driven undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in applied science and technology fields, call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu

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Established in 2001 to address Central Pennsylvania’s need for increased opportunities for study leading to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, Harrisburg University is an innovative and ambitious private institution.