New College of Florida has been quietly making a meaningful and lasting impact on the Sarasota-Manatee economy since its founding, but especially for the past two years. Through New College’s Center for Career & Engagement Opportunity (CEO), close to 100 local nonprofits and businesses have been assisted by New College grant funding to offer paid internships and students completing internships. The interns’ collective work has been immeasurable.

Madeline Tympanick, M.Ed., Associate Director, Employer Relations & Work-Based Learning says, “New College is making an impact on the community, helping our local nonprofits and businesses tackle projects that are of importance to them. No matter what organization or industry you are a part of, everyone is feeling the struggle with recruiting talent. We bring intellectually curious minds who can solve complex problems and think outside the box.”

Some of the local organizations which have hired New College interns include Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota, Florida Department of Health in Manatee, Mote Marine Laboratory, Ringling Museum,  12th Judicial Circuit of Florida, the School Districts of Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Sarasota Jungle Garden, Girls Inc., Boys & Girls Clubs, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Reflections of Manatee, Save our Seabirds, Roskamp Institute, UnidosNow, Neuro Challenge, Easterseals, Centerstone Behavioral Health and Addiction Center and many more.

Some of the many accolades we have received:

Katie Williams MSN, RN-BC, AHN-BC, Manager, Clinical Specialty Programs at Sarasota Memorial Hospital says, “Our student Intern was extremely beneficial to our organization. In fact, she became an integral part in the expansion of a new patient care service. It is our hope that the students' experiences and relationships formed while interning at Sarasota Memorial will help them continue to grow and prepare as they enter the workforce. Ideally, by gaining additional skills and being exposed to many different roles within the healthcare system, we end up with an individual that will stay and work within our community and continue to make a positive impact.”

Benoit Mouzon, PhD, Scientist II at Roskamp Institute, says, “This Internship program supports the growing Biotech/Life-Science sector in the Sarasota and Manatee Counties and showcases the region's strong talent pool, research universities, and growing reputation as a center for biotech and life sciences.”

Gary Angello, Desoto Boys & Girls Club Director, says, “We are so humbled that our student intern has recognized that her work here with us at the Desoto Boys & Girls Club has made a significant impact on our members. Her connection with our preteen group was undeniable and immediately showed in our members’ excitement when they were informed that she was returning to us [as a staff member]. We are thankful to New College for this opportunity and hope to continue this relationship for years to come.”

New College President, Dr. Pat Okker, has made it a College goal for 100% of all students to complete an internship before they graduate. The CEO office, with assistance from faculty and staff, is well on its way to that goal. When the official internship program began two years ago, 85 students completed internships. Last year, that number was up to 135 students. They are on track to see similar growth this year.

Several programs work towards that goal. New College’s nationally award-winning Community-Driven Internship Program supports our community needs and funds community projects by asking local employers to identify and communicate their needs through a request for proposal for internship projects. This brings the community into a collaborative partnership with New College faculty and career educators to shape the learning experience to address these needs, students’ interests and gaps, and meet mutual goals. There is also a general internship scholarship fund from monies donated to the New College Foundation that students can use towards any internship that they find that is unpaid or underpaid.

These internships are truly transformational for the students. Tympanick says, “When I hear the students speak about their experiences, it makes me teary eyed. For some, it confirmed a direction, helped lead them to a full-time position or maybe they decided they want to go into

another area or grad school. At New College, we have personalized advising and career coaching support, so we really get to know the students. That’s why I am in this role. It’s because of those transformational moments that have literally changed a student’s life all the while helping our local nonprofits and businesses.”

For information on how your business or non-profit can recruit interns from New College’s Center for Career Engagement & Opportunity, please visit www.ncf.edu/employers or call 941-487-5002.