Panel: Innovative Career Readiness Networks A look at some of the most effective efforts to prepare K-12 students for career success. by Caroline VanIngen-Dunn Director Southwest Pathways Conference May 3, 2016 © 2016 This presentation is the work product of Science Foundation Arizona with funding from National Science Foundation (HRD# ). Permission is granted to reproduce, use and distribute all material within the document for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that proper citation of source and copyright is clearly identified. Questions or comments may be submitted to

Science Foundation Arizona Leads the Arizona STEM Network that includes supporting the online platform for the Network at There you will find a number of group forums, including one for Internship Programs, where you can share best practices.

Community College STEM Pathways Vision Increase the quantity and quality of STEM students who utilize the Community College system as part of their pathway to achieve certificates, Associate’s, Bachelor’s and advanced degrees.

Community Colleges can – and should – disrupt education. Education leaders in their communities Central to all Pathway programs On-campus programs & activities for K-12 Early College Academies Bring industry partners to the table Offer work experience through internships

One of the most effective efforts to prepare K-12 students for career success Internships

Why Internships Win-Win-Win for students, industry & the institution Students benefit from work experiences: –Reinforce classroom instruction and purpose for completing an education –Help guide career trajectory –Many hired to fulltime jobs

Why Internships Companies benefit where their needs are greatest: –Gain economical, trained workers (as interns) –Direct source of qualified workers; eases HR budget –Increase awareness of school curriculum and product (the student) Schools may reap the benefit of a successful transaction: –Industry engages with curriculum development –Industry offers outreach experiences, shared resources

SFAz’s Approach to Internships Invest in programs (Cochise STEM Pathways Program, Industry Engagement) Observed and Identified one of their best practices (Internship Model) Disseminate and Scale (JPMC & SFAz+8) Technical Assistance (KickStarter) Arizona STEM Network (AzBio, CREST)

Program Investment in Cochise STEM Pathways Program - Early College Academy, extensive outreach programs Purchased Mechatronics Equipment No manufacturing in Sierra Vista New grant focused on industry engagement Successful Internship program led to enhanced industry engagement and successful student work experiences

Best Practice – Internship Model Dedicated industry (STEM) coordinator who knocked on industry doors; incentivized them with paid interns (from a grant) Student salaries and liability paid by College Careful matching between student qualifications and industry job Students trained and groomed for business etiquette, resume development, and interview preparation Requires 3 years for full engagement and sustainability

Companies Providing Internships Grant-funded internships grew from 1 company to 9 in 3 years; 12 companies jumped on board in Yr3 with paid internships

Student Internship Program 50 student interns total participated in 3 years 10 interns in 2012 to 22 interns in % landing fulltime jobs The Bonus: 14 community college students were hired fulltime in 2014 without a prior internship.

Disseminate and Scale JPMC-funded Middle Skills Internship Program –West-MEC (Medical Assistant) –CAVIT (Health Care) –MCOR (Information Technology) –Pima JTED (IT) – added internships to capacity building program SFAz+8 – a rural community college network; colleges with internship programs –Yavapai College (Freeport McMoRan) –Cochise (Ft. Huachuca, Defense Contractors)

Technical Assistance KickStarter Program for Community College Hispanic Serving Institutions Multiple Guides; STEM Pathways Guide Lead Local’s One Stop Internship 101 Business-friendly Toolkit webcms.pima.gov/community/help_now/job_assistance

Arizona STEM Network

Arizona STEM Network Internship Network GROUP AzBio CREST (Paradise Valley High School) MCOR, West-MEC, CAVIT