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Corey Cronin
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Salem, Mass. -- A program offering stipends and tuition awards for taking part in internships has made these experiences possible for an increasing number of Salem State University business students.
Of the more than 120 students taking part in the Bertolon School of Business (BSB) Internship Program, 55 have received a stipend or tuition award to cover the range of costs that can come with completing internships, including: closing the gap for opportunities that are unpaid or pay less than a student’s existing place of employment, helping with tuition for summer internship courses and offsetting the costs of transportation into Boston and elsewhere, along with purchasing business attire.
The BSB Internship Program launched in fall 2021 with a $250,000 pledge from alumni Elliot ’78 and Donna ’78, ’98G Katzman, of Marblehead, which was later bolstered by a $150,000 pledge from Ralph and Janice James, of Swampscott.
“Completing a semester-long or summer internship can be challenging for students already working to cover tuition and the cost of living,” said Raminder Luther, dean of the Bertolon School of Business. “These generous gifts from the Katzmans and James’ make it financially possible for students to gain experiences that are priceless when it comes to launching their careers.”
Students have completed internships at financial and marketing firms in Boston and the surrounding area, non-profits and city and town governments throughout the Commonwealth.
“During my sophomore through senior years at Salem State, I was fortunate to have an internship that helped me build important skills, develop confidence that I could compete with students from any university, and build self-esteem, all of which helped launch my career,” said Elliot Katzman ’78, who has had a career building some of New England’s most successful technology companies as a senior executive, founder and venture capitalist. “I’m driven to help Salem State students access these kinds of experiential life-changing opportunities.”
The financial support has also helped cover the cost of the BSB Internship Program’s outreach and student support. Don White, assistant dean and director of student success at BSB, is building awareness among students about the importance of internships and the availability of financial support, while broadening the school’s connections with employers and collaborating with them to match opportunities to a student’s interests and qualifications.
“Employers want to hire our students,” said White. “I work with our partners to ensure we understand their needs and we are placing interns with the required skills and experience to succeed. Everyone wins when we have the time and resources to invest in making these student and employer connections.”
“We are proud of what our AACSB-accredited school offers students, from BSB’s talented faculty to the growing experiential learning opportunities we offer thanks to our dedicated alumni and partners,” said Luther. “Our students are this region’s future business leaders, and the collective investment we are making in their futures will pay significant dividends to the communities we serve.”
About Salem State University
Salem State University, established in 1854, is a comprehensive, public institution of higher learning located approximately 15 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts. One of the largest state universities in the Commonwealth, Salem State enrolls about 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers 32 undergraduate programs and graduate programs that offer degrees in 24 fields. The university also has a continuing education division that offers both credit and non-credit programs. Salem State proudly participates in the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement and has shown a student voting rate above the national average, earning it a Silver Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. In 2020, Salem State received Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. The university is designated a Best for Vets College by Military Times.
About Salem State University Foundation
The Salem State University, Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1977 as a 501(c)(3) private, not-for-profit organization. In partnership with Salem State University, the foundation engages our community, inspires philanthropy, and stewards resources to invest in student success. In so doing, the foundation provides the opportunity to meet the needs of the Salem State community not met through public funding.