Internship support fund eases financial burden of accepting internships.

AS STUDENTS ENTER COLLEGE to begin the next phase of their academic journeys, one word often is at the forefront: finances. Having the means to cover the costs associated with the college experience can go a long way in securing a successful future.

Pennsylvania College of Technology is on a mission to support students throughout their college years in ways that mitigate nerves, offer solutions and encourage an open mind. The Internship Support Fund, a donor- and employer-supported program offered through Career Services, helps minimize barriers for students who are considering internship opportunities, allowing them to enjoy a positive experience with less financial stress.

Internships are a graduation requirement for many majors and highly encouraged in others. But finances are often a roadblock or a major stressor in meeting this requirement, said Lizze R. Winters, the college’s career and professional programming manager. 

“We want students to be able to say ‘yes’ to opportunities that might otherwise be a hindrance,” Winters said. “But they’re worried they won’t be able to afford it, overwhelmed at finding short-term housing, scared to fly across the country. There are so many factors to consider.” 

The pandemic forced the college to rethink how it engaged with students who were preparing for an internship. Recruitment Days were developed as a way to get employers on campus and interacting with potential student interns. 

“These are small career fairs focused on clusters of majors,” Winters said. “The majority of them are held outside under pop-up tents.” 

The events have continued and have helped provide $84,842 to 93 students since their inception in 2022. Employers are charged a small fee to attend a Recruitment Day, and the money directly supports services for students who apply for financial help through the Internship Support Fund. 

“Employers love when we tell them that not only are we connecting you to students who study the majors, but they also seem to really like that we put that money back into the students,” Winters said. “We are very clear when we invite them – these funds are used to support professional development.” 

A portion of the money raised through Recruitment Days helps with indirect costs associated with some of the programs offered through the college’s Center for Career Design, which provides both a physical space and virtual opportunities to bring students, alumni and industry partners together. Internship students are encouraged to take advantage of the resources offered there, including developing a resume, cover letter or LinkedIn profile; scheduling a mock interview; navigating the Penn College Career Hub (the college’s job-search website); discussing networking skills; and visiting the Career Gear Clothes Closet to find professional clothing for important events. 

Although students must provide a proposed budget as part of the Internship Support Fund application process and work with staff to determine the best direction for their funding, there are very few restrictions on the use of the money. 

Last year, 25 students were offered funding, which averaged about $963 per award. Winters said students went to 16 different states. Funding uses included defraying the cost of short-term housing in Michigan, paying for security deposits or a first-month’s rent, covering gas and groceries, and taking care of the cost of an overnight hotel stay in Nebraska. Money has also been put toward plane tickets, testing costs, expensive specialized uniforms and safety equipment, and to assist with paying for academic credit. 

“At Penn College, knowing that we pursue a hands-on degree, work experience falls right into that,” Winters said. 

The Internship Support Fund application for 2026 is open through April 24, as long as funds remain available. The application gathers important information from each student and encourages them to consider a few critical questions: How is the internship going to help them move forward with their end goal? How is the internship different from others? What are the roadblocks they’re facing? The application’s budget component urges students to report on the associated expenses. How much is it going to cost to commute an hour each direction for four months in the summer? Is a plane ticket needed? Is this being done for academic credit?

“That budget is important,” Winters said. “We review the apps, and we look for financial gaps between what they’re earning and what they’re outlaying.” 

Members of the College Relations team from a variety of areas, including Career Services, the Penn College Foundation, Grants and Communications, and Alumni Relations, are a part of the student selection committee. The Financial Aid office also provides information related to the finalists. 

“Finalists are required to attend a virtual interview with members of the selection committee,” Winters said. “We determine if they have satisfied the questions. Do they seem excited? Have they told us about the company and what they’re going to be doing during their internship? Do we understand how the money will help that student? Then we are able to make a decision and award monies, ranging from $650 to $1,250.” 

The Penn College Foundation manages the financial aspects of the Internship Support Fund, including what is collected through Recruitment Days, donors and businesses.

Keith and Jennifer Kuzio, of Williamsport, learned about the Internship Support Fund in its early days. Keith, a retired civil engineer, and Jennifer, an educator in prekindergarten, elementary and college for more than 20 years, had firsthand experience with the benefits of internships in their own academic journeys and those of their three children. 

They feel the fund is a way to “pay it forward” by helping Penn College students make the most of college internships, so the pair, along with their family, established the first endowed internship fund.

“The Kuzios are passionate about leadership, they’re passionate about business and industry and innovation, and they’re passionate about supporting young people,” said Kyle Smith, vice president of college relations. “They fund a scholarship and the endowment, as well.” 

According to Smith, the Kuzios take their commitment one step further by working with the foundation to meet with recipients of Internship Support Fund awards. 

“It’s been very meaningful, that they’re able to connect and learn, firsthand, about the students’ experiences,” Smith said. 

The Internship Support Fund serves as a powerful tool for both the corporate partners and students, Smith said, allowing the college to leverage the support of partners and pass that directly to the students. Those companies, he added, are playing a big role in supporting this initiative. 

Smith said the fund often opens doors for students to immerse in their industry in a new setting.

“Why not go see how buildings are designed in Arizona? It’s about expanding their opportunities and what a career experience looks like to them,” Smith said. “Industry is different in different regions. An internship is one more thing that gives them applied technology experience, while also building those soft skills.” 

And, Winters said, working in the field helps students put all their skills to use immediately. 

“It helps them hone their skills and helps them see how they fit within their larger industry,” she said. “When students are connected at these recruiting events with industry partners, they are getting the best exposure to their industry.” 

In many instances, she said, internships have turned into full-time offers. 

“A company has already put the training and time and effort into them. The students know the system and processes and colleagues,” Winters said. “That conversion is helpful for both students and companies. Penn College students become professionals so much sooner because they’re working in their field from their first summer. The more they do this, the more skilled they get and, in turn, the higher the salary offer because they have real-world experience.” 

Easton-based Victaulic has enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership with the college for nearly 20 years. Judy Tierney, senior talent acquisition partner for the global manufacturing company, said 11 Penn College graduates are working for Victaulic. 

Its summer internship program includes three months of learning new skills paired with a challenging workload, networking events, a buddy program, social activities and competitive compensation. Students are housed at local universities, depending on their location in either Easton, Alburtis, Nazareth or Allentown, and at the end of their time with the company, they give a presentation to management and leadership that details their internship experiences.

“Penn College has something that most other schools don’t offer,” Tierney said. “It’s why we keep coming back again and again. We establish relationships with students through Career Fairs and Recruitment Days that start as early as freshman year. By the time they’re ready to consider an internship, they’re familiar with us, and we’re already familiar with them. We have already established a familiar relationship with them, and that can take time to invest in that.” 

Tierney added that her team is looking to hire interns into permanent positions. 

“This school correlates to what we’re looking for, and we don’t know of any other schools that are as impressive at connecting students with internship and employment opportunities,” she said. “It’s fabulous to know that each time we’re here, our small fee is helping to support the students. This does our hearts good, and we remain fully committed to helping the students. In the end, that is helping us, too.” 

Victaulic is a Corporate Tomorrow Maker and a member of the Heritage Society ($50,000-$99,999) on the college’s Donor Wall.

Remaining Recruitment Days this semester include: 

• March 18: Diesel Technology/Heavy Equipment/Forestry 
• March 19: Nursing 
• March 25: Dental Hygiene 
• Mach 27: Physician Assistant 
• April 1: Radiography 
• April 7: Wildcat Rotorfest/Emergency Management 

To be eligible for funding through the Internship Support Fund, applicants must have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, have completed at least two semesters at Penn College before the internship begins and be pursuing a major-related work-based experience, credit-based internship or clinical experience that includes a minimum of 120 hours.

Students can apply through the Center for Career Design. For more information, email collegerelations@pct.edu or call 570-320-8020.