Bakersfield College students are offered the opportunity of student internships every year.
The main goal of the BC student internship program is to expand the student’s classroom learning to on-the-job-training.
Students are able to work with businesses around the Delano, McFarland, Wasco and Bakersfield area. Internships are available in the fields of digital arts, animal science, automotive, welding and architecture.
Every year there are more majors being added into the student internship program.
Janie Budy, program manager for career development and workforce preparation, is in charge of student internships at BC.
Budy has to find businesses that are willing and interested in interning students, and they also have to teach the interns the requirements of working in that particular industry.
The business has to be willing to sign a contract agreement with the qualified student and BC so that the student may be able to intern with them.
“Internships help students in their future,” said Budy.
Students are able to network and get hands-on experience in their field of choice, so that they can apply what they have learned in their classroom and use their newfound skills in a business.
“Sometimes the benefits of student internships are receiving a letter of recommendation, or letting the students know of part-time jobs available,” said Budy.
“Student internships encourage the student to come back to BC and finish the program that they are interested in,” added Budy.
In order to qualify for a student internship, students must be in good academic standing, complete a required amount of classes in field of study, and a completion of a job readiness course and enrollment in work experience once the student is selected for an internship.
“The student internship program at BC is great. It gives students the opportunity to work in the field that they are pursing,” said Opal Buchanan, former internship student at BC.
Budy puts on student internship presentations to classes through out the year so that students may have the chance to apply for them.
Student internships are not advertised, but are referred and announced by faculty.
“We do what we can to get the word about student internships out on campus,” said Budy.