Program gives students opportunity to gain credit and work skills

After one semester off, Northern Essex is back to providing students with real world experiences through their internship program.

The internships are provided for students who are majoring in journalism/communications, business, accounting and CIS(computer science).

Students are able to work for a company who has partnered with Northern Essex Community College and gain real life experience.

Students work as interns for 14 hours a week but can go up to a maximum of 40 hours if their schedules allow. Students are required to have a minimum of 168 hours complete by the end of the semester.

[pullquote]Our main focus for an internship is to allow the student an experience in the field they are pursuing at NECC …. This is a three credit course, so not only are you getting experience but you are also receiving credit for your work

– Noreen Fantasia

Internship program coordinator[/pullquote]

Noreen Fantasia the coordinator of the internship program says “Our main focus for an internship is to allow the student an experience in the field they are pursuing at NECC.

Although we would like to have every internship paid, our main focus in on the actual experience.”

Fantasia also says “this is a three credit course, so not only are you getting experience but you are also receiving credit for your work.”

A two hour class that meets every other week is also part of the internship program.

This two hour class helps students with professional development, such as, resume revisions, creating a LinkedIn profile, and mock interviews.

Mock interviews consist of interns interviewing with staff from various companies for 15 minutes each and then receiving valuable feedback.

Ralph Anthony Rentas a current liberal arts student at Northern Essex has heard about this opportunity and hopes to one day be a part of it.

He says “This is a great opportunity for students to gain and build the experience they need.”

Lisbeth Pita a business transfer here at Northern Essex says “I haven’t done the internship here at Northern Essex College but I do recommend it to anyone who is looking for experience in their field and get a little taste of what is out there for them. This will help you identify the field you truly want to be in.”

The internship program will start in Jan. 2018 and will go on to the end of the semester. It will also be offered in the fall semester.

If you are interested in more information regarding the program, please contact Noreen Fantasia at nfantasia@necc.mass.edu or search for Internships on the NECC website.