Del Mar College is building a bridge between the classroom and the local business community through the Small Business Internship Program, that currently has 25 Del Mar student interns placed at off-campus business sites across the Nueces County region.
The Small Business Internship Program is a partnership between the City of Corpus Christi and Del Mar College, that assists small businesses with wage incentives to hire Del Mar students who meet their specific business needs.
The program is designed to foster business growth and job creation along with workforce development within the local community. The SBIP connects motivated students with local small businesses that are willing to mentor college students in their fields of study.
Interns work part time, and the businesses work around the student’s class commitments. The college matches up to 19 hours per week at $7.25 an hour, with the host business covering at least the same amount, making the starting pay for all students $14.50 an hour. According to program coordinator Jacqueline Roberson, some businesses go beyond, offering competitive starting wages of $10-12 an hour in addition to Del Mar’s $7.25.
According to Roberson, on average, two to three students are hired full-time with their business sites per semester or are able to secure full-time employment elsewhere after graduating out.
The program is available to all majors at Del Mar College. Students must be in their final year of academic studies (within their last two semesters) or enrolled in their practicum semester.
Students must verify their enrollment status at Del Mar College by submitting an official course schedule after applying to the program.
Students may participate in the program for a maximum of two semesters.
Students who participate in the internship program are expected to work part-time (up to 19 hours a week) at their assigned business sites. Businesses will coordinate with student’s class schedule. Students who are interested in participating in the program are encouraged to submit an application by visiting the program’s webpage at delmar.edu/sbip and complete an offical student intake form. For questions or concerns please contact internship@delmar.edu