Interning Point

We read with interest the “Internships Now” special section in the September/October 2010 edition of Inside Business. Your message to companies is excellent, since some employers do not yet realize the value that a successful internship or co-op program brings to their businesses.

Likewise, while college students look for hands-on experience, they often need assistance connecting their passions with their educational experiences. Your advice to both parties is helpful and timely.

The Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education connects employers, college students and internship opportunities through its free, online talent development program, NEOintern, and employer seminar, “Maximize Your ROI: Return on Intern.” As of September, NEOintern has more than 11,000 students and 1,700 employers registered, and the site lists more than 120 open internships. Employers and students can act now on internships simply by accessing neointern.net.

Our mission is to mobilize Northeast Ohio’s higher education and business communities for collective action that advances regional economic development.

Robert Reffner
chairman

Ann Womer Benjamin
executive director

Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education

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INSTANT FEEDBACK

Entrepreneurs are risk takers. But the extent of Mike Matousek’s risks seemed to make some of our readers uncomfortable. In our Entrepreneur’s Toolkit ("Quick Study," September/October 2010), the CEO of Flashnotes, a marketplace for college class notes and study guides, said he didn’t know much about running a company in the beginning. So his business strategy was “fake it ’til you make it.” Here are two views on his methods from our online readers at IBmag.com.

“Fake it ’til you make it” is the strategy? Exaggerate your progress to get money invested in your company? What kind of business article is this and why spotlight someone who doesn’t appear to have sound business ethics!?! This young entrepreneur needs to learn that integrity and honesty build trust, which is the foundation to business and personal success. ... — Tim Johnson

As Dave Petruziello mentioned [in the article], people are going to do their homework and aren’t going to invest in something they don’t believe in. There is nothing dishonest about FlashNotes and obviously its business potential is evident to many. FlashNotes is ingenious in that it acts as a facilitator for what students already do on their own, but allows them to make a little money for their efforts in the process. (Not to mention the fact that it offers even more of an incentive for students to attend class, take better notes and thus be even better students.) It’s a win-win situation for all. Oh and P.S.: Welcome to the 21st century Tim Johnson. — Erika D.

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