Helping Students Get Internships and Jobs

Lynn University has created an innovative new program to support and help prepare students in the College of Business and Management for a career in the business world. Rick Sayers, who has served as the executive in residence of the college for the past three years, has been named executive director of new Internships and Cooperative Education Program.

The program’s goal is to help students discover their intellectual and personal strengths through formal preparation to include: mock interviews (face-to-face, phone and Skype), resume and cover letter writing, business etiquette skills and personality profile (Myers-Briggs).

“Getting Lynn students ready for a successful professional life after college is a primary responsibility,” says Sayers. “This program will give them an advantage in obtaining internships and cooperative education experience and make them better prepared to meet, interview and work with individuals in the business community.”

An important component of the program will be the business relationships that will be developed with the corporate and business community.

“We will reach out to organizations that match up with the skills, interests and global diversity of our students for mutually beneficial partnerships,” he says.

Contacts have already been made with Office Depot, PwC, Sherwin Williams, Parker Hannifin, Jarden, Via Mizner, 02 media Inc., AXA Equitable and C3 Interactive and others.

In hiring students for internships Sayers says corporations are looking for intelligent, energetic talent with summer and/or school year projects. Students benefit by experiencing the company culture, management style and other organizational dynamics before having to make a decision for full time employment as well.

Internships are required in all COBM curriculums. Though this program will initially be rolled out in the COBM, it is expected to expand to the other colleges.

“We are very fortunate to have Rick as executive director to lead this new program,” said Thomas Kruczek, dean of the College of Business and Management. “With his extensive background in human resources in the corporate space, he knows exactly what corporations are looking for in new hires and he will do an outstanding job of getting our students ready.”