Press
SECU members announce Summer Pilot Internship Program for N.C. college students
RALEIGH, NC (April 23, 2015) — SECU Foundation’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the roll-out of a new pilot internship program in partnership with three constituent campuses of the University of North Carolina (UNC) System – the University of North Carolina-Pembroke, Appalachian State University and East Carolina University. Through the SECU Internship Program, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) members, via the SECU Foundation, will award each university up to $100,000 in support of paid internships for 20 qualifying in-state undergraduates for Summer 2015, with a total investment of $300,000. The successful completion of the pilot program could be the model for implementing a future statewide internship program.
Administered by each university, the SECU Internship Program is designed to provide sophomore or junior college students with meaningful job experiences through internship assignments focused on local leadership in rural North Carolina communities. By matching their interests and talents, the Program will give participating SECU interns a unique learning opportunity that will allow them to give back to their community by working on projects with government agencies, non-profits, or private and public businesses in industry sectors including healthcare, technology, social services, education or marketing, among others. Two objectives of the SECU Internship Program are to help build capacity for underserved areas and reduce the talent drain from the State’s rural communities.
Dr. Marilyn Sheerer, SECU Foundation Board member and Internship Committee Chair commented, “The SECU Internship Program is a great educational driver that further represents the commitment of SECU members to students’ educational aspirations. These hard-working students will be immersed in a hands-on learning experience that may stimulate an occupational interest and lead to a career in their home county. It gives me great pleasure as a State educator and a Credit Union member to be involved in the creation and implementation of this initiative.”
“We are excited to be partnering with the UNC System to bring the SECU Internship Program to the table in more remote areas,” said McKinley Wooten, SECU Foundation Board Chair. “In today’s competitive world, it’s important to provide students with opportunities that will help open doors for them to gain valuable work experience and a fresh perspective of the workings and challenges of rural government agencies and organizations. Ultimately, their talents and skills can help make a positive impact in the economic future of North Carolina’s communities.”
About SECU and the SECU Foundation
A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for almost 78 years. The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trusts, estate planning and investments through its partners and affiliated entities. SECU serves nearly 2 million members through 254 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Contact Centers and a website, www.ncsecu.org. The SECU Foundation, a 501c (3) charitable organization funded solely by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare and human services.