Aria Higgins, University Relations Coordinator with Kohl’s, accepting the 2012 Outstanding Employer Internship Program award from Kristin Adler, representative from nominating institution, Marquette University Career Services Center.

Kohl’s offers a complete internship program that allows students to have hands-on experience in the retail industry. Internships are available in a wide range of disciplines including accounting/finance, compliance, e-commerce, information services, learning and development, logistics, management, marketing, merchandise analysis, and purchasing. Kohl’s strives to develop students into professionals with a strong skill set and knowledge base.

Kohl’s interns are provided with sufficient training and go through a strong orientation process. All interns complete a day-long orientation filled with Kohl’s history, an introduction to corporate culture, and expectations of interns that are specifically designed to enhance internship success. Well-defined, measurable goals are established with interns, and most departments have a curriculum and training guide for interns that provides a clear understanding of what is expected of them during their time with Kohl’s.

Kohl’s intern managers provide constructive feedback and mentoring to interns. Each intern is also assigned an Intern Coach, a recent college graduate who meets regularly with their mentee to provide training and guidance. Interns also participate in three “College to Career” classes, where they learn about corporate communication, presentations, speaking on the spot, and other skills necessary to be successful in the corporate world.

Interns have many opportunities to demonstrate their learning through projects in their departments, but all interns also participate in a Final Impact Project. Interns select a problem and present their proposed solutions at the end of the internship. This final presentation is not only given to their team and manager, but to upper level management in their department. Almost all of the solutions get put into place for the next season or cycle after the interns complete their experiences.

Given Kohl’s strong focus on community involvement, the company developed “Interns in Action,” a day of service for all interns (200 Corporate Interns + 425 Store Interns). Interns can participate in a variety of “getting to know Milwaukee” activities, all designed to encourage networking. Ultimately, Kohl’s interns are integrated into the company as if they were permanent members of the team.

According to nominating institution, Marquette University Career Services Center, Kohl’s is one of Marquette University’s most engaged employers. Kohl’s participates in on-campus career fairs, and representatives from the company are always willing to speak to students in classes, programs, and student organization meetings. They participate on advisory boards, are willing to provide informational interviews, and post internship opportunities on university/college job boards.

Congratulations to Kohl’s for providing an amazing internship program for college students!

In an effort to honor employers and partners from business, industry, government and other nonprofits, MACIC developed the Outstanding Internship Program award. It recognizes organizations who have distinguished themselves by developing quality internship programs. The award criteria include:

• University Engagement
• Structured Internship Experience
• Professional Development Opportunities

MACIC members submit nominations, and the MACIC Awards Committee selects the winner or winners. In any given year, as many as three Outstanding Internship Program awards may be given – Large Employers, Small Employers (fewer than 100 employees), and Nonprofit/Public Sector.

Want to see more images from the 2012 Celebrate Internships social? Visit the photo gallery.

Thank you to everyone who came out for the 2012 Celebrate Internships Employer Appreciation Social!

We had a record number of company and organization representatives in attendance. We hope many great connections were made to benefit students seeking internships in the Milwaukee area.

Special thank you to the sponsoring colleges and universities. This annual event could not happen without your support.

• Alverno College
• Bryant & Stratton College
• Cardinal Stritch University
• Carthage College
• Marquette University
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD)
• Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)
• UW-La Crosse
• UW-Madison
• UW-Milwaukee
• UW-Parkside
• UW-Stout
• UW-Waukesha
• UW-Whitewater
• Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC)

More coverage of the event will come in the next few weeks.

In the meantime, employers who attended the event should check out Employer Resources for information on creating internships and internship best practices.

Join MACIC for our 8th annual Employer Appreciation Social, a networking event for area employers and college internship professionals.

Celebrate Internships! Employer Appreciation Social 2012
Wednesday, June 20
3:00pm to 6:00pm
Cuvee in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward

RSVP by Wednesday, June 13th.

Questions? Contact Sue Leister, Chair of the MACIC Social Committee, at susan.leister@alverno.edu.

For employers and colleges/universities alike, this gathering is an opportunity to network with internship contacts both old and new. For MACIC, it is our chance to thank employers for their work in the name of internships.

A formal invitation will follow.

View scenes from the 2011 event held at Best Place at the historic Pabst Brewery.

On Friday, December 2, 2011, MACIC hosted its Fall 2011 Professional Development Program. Internship Best Practices: Employer Panel Discussion brought together employers and college internship professionals to learn about the internship programs of area employers. Speakers on the panel included:

• Dori Tooke, Director of Inpatient Rehab Services, Aurora Health Care
• Wade Krogwold, Campus & Community Recruiting Manager, Direct Supply
• Ellen Burgermeister, IS Recruiter/Campus Recruiting Consultant, Northwestern Mutual
• Heather Seager, Director of Clinical Development, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
• Ana Maria Guzman, Client Services Specialist, Wisconsin Public Defender’s Office

Attendees learned about the organizations’ internship opportunities and best practices for their respective programs. Panelists shared their organizations’ perspectives on tailoring supervision to a specific student intern, important work skills needed for an internship, and the role of a student’s major in intern recruitment. After a Q&A with the audience, each panelist wrapped up the discussion by sharing three or four attributes they seek in an intern.

Highlights from the Panel Discussion

• “Soft skills” were crucial for intern success. While technical skills might get a student an interview, it is the soft skills – critical thinking, communication, teamwork – that will get the student hired. And more importantly, students need to be able to articulate how they possess these skills. Some of the key attributes employers are looking for include:
• Flexibility
• Initiative
• Critical Thinking
• Customer Service
• Communication
• Teamwork/Collaboration
• Passion
• Major is not the most important factor for most employers when hiring an intern. While some positions may require specialized training (ex. IT or engineering), most roles do not. Again, it comes down to soft skills. Hire interns with strong communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills, and train them to do the job at hand.
• Interns will make mistakes. As an employer, create an environment in which students are comfortable with asking questions or seeking help before an issue becomes a major problem.
• Schools and employers are partners in the internship process:
• Schools need to be clear about the intent of an internship from their perspective. Make sure everyone shares the same expectations.
• Schools need to understand what tactics work best with their students. What works at your institution in terms of marketing opportunities with students?
• Employers want to collaborate. Instituting advisory boards and including employers on those boards is a great way to partner for the gainful employment of students.

Additional details about the event, including contact information for each panelist, is available in the Professional Development Program Archive.

MACIC members and other university representatives are invited to the Academic Preview & Reception for the 2012 Green Energy Summit and Exposition.

The 9th Annual Green Energy Summit & Exposition, being held this March, is aimed at increasing awareness of opportunities and encouraging development in the green sector. Summit attendees are comprised of a broad range of stakeholders including business executives, non-profits, professional organizations, and educational institutions. More information on the Summit can be found at www.greenenergysummit.us.

At the Academic Preview & Reception, you will learn about the benefits of attending, exhibiting, or presenting at the Green Energy Summit. MACIC has been approached by event organizers about having a presence at the Summit, particularly on their “Green Careers & Sustainability Day,” through exhibiting or presenting. It could provide MACIC with the opportunity to increase awareness of internships with green sector organizations and to promote the value of internships to students – high school through college – that are expected to be in attendance.

President Juli Pickering is planning to attend the event, but all members are encouraged to attend if interested and able.

2012 Green Energy Summit and Exposition
Academic Preview & Reception
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
3:00-5:00pm
Milwaukee Area Technical College, Mequon Campus (Room A289)
5555 West Highland Road, Mequon, WI

RSVP to Lori Hains: 414-571-4714 or hainsl@matc.edu.

Employer panel will include representatives from:

• Aurora Health Care
• Dori Tooke, Director of Inpatient Rehab Services
• Direct Supply - Recipient, MACIC Outstanding Employer Internship Program Award
• Wade Krogwold, Campus & Community Recruiting Manager
• INROADS
• Jesus Vasquez, Client Manager
• Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department
• Lieutenant Derrick Washington, Training Coordinator
• Northwestern Mutual Corporate Headquarters
• Ellen Burgermeister, IS Recruiter/Campus Recruiting Consultant
• Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
• Heather Sage, Director, Clinical Development
• Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office
• Ana Maria Guzman, J.D., Client Services Specialist

Date/Time
December 2, 2011
8:30am – Continental Breakfast
9:00-10:30am – Program

Location
Cardinal Stritch University – Milwaukee Campus
Bonaventure Hall, Room 033
6801 N Yates Road
Milwaukee, WI  53217
Map from Google Maps

Please Register by Tuesday, November 29

For context, concerns over the increase in unpaid internships came to a head in a New York Times article from April 2010. The article examined the legality of unpaid internships, which sparked many questions and conversations in the internship community. A coalition of university presidents, including Kevin Reilly, President of the UW System, issued their response to Secretary Solis of the Department of Labor and expressed concerns over the impact of stronger regulations on internships.

The legal issues have been confusing for many. The Department of Labor introduced Fact Sheet #71: Internship Programs Under the Fair Labor Standards Act to help clarify matters. By the end of June 2010, the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) issued their position on unpaid internships.

CEIA’s position, from July 2011, is as follows:

CEIA aims to provide resources and guidance for educators and employers engaging in internship programs. This organization actively supports student participation in valuable internship experiences which offer dedicated supervision, meaningful and educationally relevant work, and opportunities for mentoring and networking. These experiences are to be of value to both parties, allowing for purposeful and effective outcomes.

Though employers decide if an internship will be funded, educators determine when an internship is credit worthy. CEIA supports the fact that academic credit is not the same as compensation. CEIA recognizes that there are also stipulations and guidelines which may impact financial compensation. All employers are strongly encouraged to follow rules and regulations pertaining to local and federal labor laws when determining remuneration options. Knowing there is not one universal procedure within the higher education community for documenting internships, employers are encouraged to acknowledge each educational institution’s policies in order to best serve the student.

What do you think about CEIA’s position statement?

The MACIC Leadership Team met in late August to prepare for the upcoming year.

Please save the date for MACIC’s business meetings and professional development programs:

• Friday, September 23 – Business Meeting at Direct Supply
• Friday, December 2 – Professional Development Program
• Friday, February 10 – Business Meeting
• Friday, May 11 – Professional Development Program

As you will see, the first meeting for the year is fast approaching. The Leadership Team discussed approaching local companies to be meeting sites, so this will be the first meeting implementing this idea with Direct Supply as our host. The Leadership Team is excited to add this element of professional development to our regular business meeting events.

In addition to MACIC events, you will also find information on conferences and other relevant events on our website. You can see the list of Upcoming Events to the right or view our calendar page.

It is also that time of the year to renew your membership with MACIC!

If your institution is interested in maintaining MACIC membership, please declare your institution a member by completing the Declaration of Membership. We only need one form per institution, so please coordinate this amongst the multiple individuals your institution might have joining us. Please return your Declaration as soon as possible.

There is no membership fee, but to retain your institutional voting rights, we ask that a member from your institution attends at least two of our four yearly business meetings.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the MACIC Leadership Team.

The Early-Bird registration deadline for the Midwest Cooperative Education Internship Association (MCEIA) Conference is quickly approaching. This year’s conference will be in Milwaukee, making it an ideal professional development opportunity for MACIC members and other internship professionals in Wisconsin.

The Early-Bird registration conference fee of $350 as well as the discounted lodging rate of $139/night is good until Thursday, September 22, 2011.

The conference is being held October 23-25 at the Hotel InterContinental in downtown Milwaukee.

Click here to view more Conference Information.

MACIC members on the 2011 Conference Committee:

• Jean Donovan, Waukesha County Technical College
• Amy Lane, UW-Stout
• Juli Pickering, UW-Milwaukee College of Engineering
• Mary Spencer, MSOE