11 WSSU students selected for Governor’s HBCU Internship Program
Eleven Winston-Salem State University students are gaining work experience this summer through the North Carolina Governor’s HBCU Internship Program.
The program, which began in 2015, connects students who are enrolled in North Carolina’s HBCUs with the state’s Fortune 250 companies to allow them to gain valuable work experience that will increase their competitiveness in the job market, while allowing state businesses to recruit from an increased, diverse talent pool. Studies show that seven in 10 internships turn into full-time jobs.WSSU is one of 10 HBCUs in North Carolina participating in the program.
“The North Carolina Governor’s HBCU Internship Program has become an important resource for the state’s HBCU students to gain valuable experience while working at some of North Carolina’s top companies,” University President Margaret Spellings said. “These internships often translate into future job opportunities for the participants, while giving North Carolina employers the opportunity to recruit from a more diverse, better-trained group of college graduates.”
WSSU’s participants are:
- Rachel Bernard, United Way of Forsyth County
- Charles Calamese, Herbalife
- Vincent Davidson, Bank of America
- Jarrett Goins, Carolinas Healthcare System
- Nailah McElvane, United Way of Forsyth County
- Elijah Milton, Pepsi Bottling Ventures
- Richard Pharr, Aramark
- Jahyra Robinson, Aramark
- Kenneth Sharpe, Big Brothers, Big Sisters Services
- Elijah Umrani, Xerox
- Desiree Wilson, Big Brothers, Big Sisters Services
This year’s corporate partners are Aramark, Bank of America, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Century 21, Cisco, DRS Technologies, Duke Energy, Financial Capital, GP Supply Company, Growth Management Services, Loring Corporation, Harrah’s Resort, Heery International, Herbalife, NC Mutual Life Insurance, Millennium Sports Group, NC Mutual, O2 Fitness, One Accord Service, Red Hat, RTI, Skanska, Subject2Change, TIAA, United Way, Wells Fargo, VistaBution, and Xerox.
The summer internships are paid, full-time positions for rising juniors or seniors who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8, are active in student and national organizations, have the ability to communicate well, and are familiar with common software platforms.
