Components Of Effective Internship Programs

Starting And Maintaining A Quality Internship Program

In 2008 after being a Commissioner since 1978, a DC in 1984-1985, and ACC since 1993, between now, I finally suggested to my best friend, and SE of MAC (Mid America Council) in Omaha, that it has bothered me about the large turnover in DEs. My main concern is one particular requirement, which has always been, a 4 year Degree, it didn't matter what in. So, I asked what he thought about an Internship for DEs. He gave me his permission to pursue it, and went to the  person responsible for Internships at UNO (University of Nebraska at Omaha). It turns out he is one of our Committee Chairs,who thought my idea was fantastic, and he them gave me, what I have above, and he helped with certain Degrees that would fit the different DE positions, including Marketing, Public Relations, Management, and Criminal Justice, the latter for Juvinile Diversion, Learning For Life, etc.

I had also talked with another strong friend, John Gottschalk, when he was our main speaker at our CCS, about the Internship, and he said he would share this idea with a specific National Committee. I also said I am sure that other Councils have had such a program. The last person I shared this with in the beginning was our National Commissioner Don Belcher.

After a little over a year, our Council has already hired one who went through the Internship, one who they want to hire when she Graduates, and a new Intern has started it recently. I have since shared this with our Central Region, and Area 5 Commissioner, who the latter sees it as helping with the Latino community.