Internships with Northwest Kansas businesses and arts and cultural organizations provided 30 Fort Hays State University students with valuable experience and exposure to what is possible for employment in the area.

Interns have described the experience positively, saying they gained “the experience and confidence needed to succeed” and learned “valuable personal life lessons.”

Employers who participated in the internship program were selected from applications they submitted with a proposed job description for an intern. Each employer also paid $500. Employers interviewed candidates and made final selection of interns that would be working with them. Grant funds covered most of the cost of intern pay.

Students applied to be interns by submitting a resume and statement of interest.

In the fall of 2018, 17 employers applied for the program and seven were chosen to participate. The interns were selected from 22 student applications.

For the spring 2019 internships, applications were submitted by 14 employers and nine were invited to participate. There were 23 student applications for these positions.

For summer 2019, 24 employers applied for the 14 available internships. A total of 103 student applications were received.

Sixteen students have completed their internships, and 14 students are working this summer with anticipated completion by Aug. 9.