Portland Gateway serves to improve access to internships
Internships are a win-win situation for students and employers alike. The experience helps students gain confidence, develop skills and emerge from their college experience better prepared to enter the workforce. In turn, employers benefit from access to a talent pool, increased awareness of prospective future employees and increased productivity.
The Portland Gateway aims to create greater access to internship opportunities for students and businesses in the area.
Through internships, students can bolster their resumes and show examples of how they applied learned skills, something that can help them stand out in the interview process. And because internships allow students to gain better insight into their career choice, there are fewer surprises when graduates as they enter their industry.
Ultimately, internships help graduates land jobs.
Research shows that companies are more likely to hire someone that has prior internship experience. Building confidence and relevant skills, and creating networking opportunities within their industry increases a student’s chance of building a career in the industry of their choice.
There are a great number of opportunities for students, businesses and government agencies to connect through internships across the state.
UMaine recently reported that thirty-five undergraduate and graduate college students are working in state, municipal and county offices through the 2021 Maine Government Summer Internship Program, administered through the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center. The program provides full-time, 12-week work experience to students who are Maine residents and scholars attending Maine colleges.
The list of opportunities continues to grow. Mainebiz reported on a new internship program for graduate and professional students offered through the University of Maine Graduate & Professional Center. The Maine Center Graduate Internship Program provides paid work experience, a peer network and professional development opportunities to students from the University of Maine Graduate School of Business, University of Maine School of Law and University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Service.
The Portland Gateway serves as a springboard to all that UMaine has to offer. Internships are an important part of the initiative’s mission to act as the front door for the university’s engagement in Portland and beyond.
Contact: gateway@maine.edu
Written by Tilan Copson