WolfPack PAID (Paid Access to Internships and Development): The Madison College Journey to Transforming Unpaid Internships into Paid Experiences
2:10 PM – 3:00 PM • 50 Minute Runtime • Room 209
The benefits of paid internships are well documented. Paid internship experiences result in more callbacks in the job search, shorter job searches overall, and higher starting salaries. Research also shows that underrepresented students are also underrepresented in paid internships (National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) Brief: Inequity in Internships, 2021). Unpaid internships tend to occur most frequently in non-profits, small businesses, and government agencies. In January 2024, Madison College Career and Employment Services launched WolfPack PAID, a transformative program aimed at providing paid internships and wrap-around work-based learning support for underrepresented students. WolfPack PAID addresses a critical need for equitable access to internship opportunities for students who face disproportionate outcomes in education and employment. From the employer perspective, WolfPack PAID’s focus on partnerships with non-profits, small businesses, and government agencies helps those organizations address their workforce needs, grow, and enhance their standing in the community. In this session, participants will hear about the WolfPack PAID journey, including success stories and their vision for the future. They’ll gain an understanding of the benefits of paid internsip experiences and how WolfPack PAID and similar programs can address inequities in access to paid internships and promote positive outcomes for underrepresented students.
David Le Clair
Career Services Manager • Madison College
Jeff Close
Student Support Advisor • Madison College
Waldo Rodriguez
Student Presenter • Madison College
Jose Rodriguez
Student Presenter • Madison College
Maggie Groshan
Student Presenter • Madison College
Linnea Nachreiner
Student Presenter • Madison College