Oakland U pushes internships for local businesses

metromode, 6/25/2009

Oakland University wants to see more of its students getting their professional feet wet at local businesses. But the Rochester-based school doesn't sees it as a one-sided proposition.

OU is starting a free workshop on creating an internship program for local businesses through Automation Alley. The workshop will cover the benefits companies enjoy by having interns. Those incentives range from lower costs to bringing in creative young people with fresh ideas.

"It's a win-win situation for both the employer and the students," says Michael Stromayer, job locator developer coordinator for Oakland University.

It will also show businesses how to find, process and treat an intern. The workshop will also detail how (in)expensive it is to keep an intern around to help out with work.

"It doesn’t cost a lot of money," Stromayer says. "A lot of internships are unpaid."

The all-day workshop is set for July 7 at Automation Alley's headquarters in Troy. For information, call (248) 370-3250 or click here.

Source: Michael Stromayer, job locator developer coordinator for Oakland University
Writer: Jon Zemke

, Rochester