The Associated Students of the University of Nevada is investing in expanded internship opportunities, increasing the pool of real-world learning experiences for students and offering engagement with businesses and organizations. Coordinated with the University's Nevada Career Studio and with $30,000 in ASUN funding, the Pack Internship Grant Program launched Tuesday, Oct. 7.

The program provides funding for 21 individual University of Nevada, Reno student internships with northern Nevada businesses, nonprofits and public agencies. The program partners with employers to develop mutually beneficial, substantive internship opportunities for University students. The grant money funds student wages at $12 per hour for 120 hours.  

"This is huge for the economic development of the area," ASUN Vice President Alex Bybee said. "It helps to stem the outflow of innovative talent from the region, keeping those graduates here to contribute to the workforce. It also expands access to students, since unpaid internships currently exclude the most economically disadvantaged students."  

"What makes the Pack Internship Grant Program unique, and exciting, is how closely we've worked with the local organizations to develop these internships," Elizabeth Loun, internship and employee relations coordinator at the Nevada Career Studio, said. "All 21 internships have been created specifically for our students. The Career Studio will not only play a role in promoting these opportunities to students, but we will also work closely with the interns and their supervisors before, during and after the internships."  

Employer partners for the program are: The Abbi Agency, Animal Ark, Chamber of Commerce, Great Basin Community Food Cooperative, Inqiri, Nevada Humane Society, Nevada State Legislature, Nevada Senate Democratic and Republican caucuses, Nevada Museum of Art, Pistil & Stigma Community & Government Relations Firm, Quest Counseling & Consulting, Sierra Nevada Journeys and the Washoe County Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Division.

"Having an intern is a great responsibility," University President Marc Johnson said. "We really appreciate the investment these businesses are putting into our students."  

Johnson also said he has never been at a campus where the students supported other students like they do at the University.  

"We want to offer all of our students a remarkable experience, and that means offering opportunities to work inside and outside the classroom and put their knowledge to work," he said. "This contribution to creating internship opportunities is part of that. These days, businesses are taking interns not only to get some work done, but, more importantly, internships have become a two to three month interview session."  

Students interested in applying can do so via the Career Studio's website, www.unr.edu/career.

Located in the Thompson Building, the Nevada Career Studio is the University's hub for career education. It aims to equip all University students with the tools and strategies to navigate their careers with clarity, competence and confidence and is designed as a flexible space for students that adapts to their needs at any stage of the job search.