Internships funded by Great Lakes support Carroll’s liberal arts students

Carroll University recently received a $94,500 Career Ready Internship Initiative grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation. Carroll is one of 19 Wisconsin colleges and universities to receive a portion of the $2.5 million awarded by Great Lakes for this venture.

Junior and senior students majoring in the humanities and social sciences at Carroll will now have improved opportunities to work in their field of study while still in college. Internships offer invaluable, real-world experience that can make students more competitive in the job market after graduation. College students with internship experience are 67 percent more likely to receive at least one job offer than peers without internships.

Dr. Charles Byler, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is the project director. He said, “Carroll University’s mission includes a focus on vocational success, which means that we connect students’ academic preparation with their career plans. Developing more paid internship opportunities is crucial for students majoring in the humanities and social sciences. With the Career Ready Internship Initiative grant, Carroll can better meet the needs of our students.”

In partnership with local businesses and nonprofit organizations, Carroll intends to create 35 new paid internships and convert 20 existing unpaid internships into paid opportunities. The grant-funded internships will be available to students who don’t receive enough financial aid to cover their college costs.