The University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics just received a grant from the Delaware Workforce Development Board. This funding opens doors for Lerner students to gain real-world experience while still in school.
The new Lerner-Delaware Early Career Co-op Program offers a one-year, paid internship for rising juniors and seniors. It allows students to earn credit while working, helping them gain valuable experience, build professional networks, and apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to actual business challenges.
For employers in Delaware, this program brings enthusiastic and skilled students into their teams. It’s a chance to nurture future leaders eager to learn and grow in their careers.
According to Oliver Yao, the Dean of the Lerner College, this program is transformative for both students and local businesses. “It equips students with hands-on experience and fosters stronger ties between education and industry,” he said. “This can drive innovation and growth in Delaware’s workforce.”
The program is just starting off. Local companies are signing up and sharing job descriptions while students submit their résumés. Interviews will wrap up by May, with internships beginning in June.
Students can expect a commitment of 40 hours a week during the summer and winter terms and around 20 hours per week during the school year. They can earn three to six credits for their work, with each company deciding the pay.
Scott Malfitano, chair of the Delaware Workforce Development Board, and Jill Panté, director of the Lerner Career Services Center, collaborated to create this program. Malfitano believes businesses are eager for fresh talent. “Companies are looking for a reliable source of future employees,” he said. “We have that talent right here at the University.”
Malfitano and Panté want students to have longer internships to build their skills and connections. Panté said a typical summer internship lasts only eight to ten weeks, which isn’t enough for many students to make a real impact. “We want them to gain more experience and earn money to support their education,” she added.
The program aims to offer 20 to 25 positions in its first year, with hopes of expanding in the future. Many students and businesses have already expressed interest.
To manage the program, Lerner obtained a grant that allows for a coordinator to be hired. This person will help identify industry needs and assist with job placements and interviews.
Business leaders have shown a lot of interest in the program, recognizing the diverse skills that Lerner students possess. “Lerner offers varied majors, from marketing to IT and finance,” Malfitano noted. “Businesses benefit from this diversity.”
Patrick Best from WSFS Bank expressed excitement about the collaboration. “Equipping students with real-world skills will help them achieve financial stability,” he said. “It’s vital for local businesses to have access to talented individuals.”
Other organizations, such as CSC and The Siegfried Group, have also committed to providing co-op positions.
This program is the newest addition to Lerner College’s commitment to experiential learning. “If you’re a Lerner student, opportunities are out there,” Panté assured. “This co-op program shows how dedicated we are to our students and the community.”
