OKLAHOMA CITY, May 13, 2008– Students graduating from Oklahoma colleges face many tough decisions, including where to live and begin a career. For Oklahoma, graduate retention is a crucial component to ensuring a strong, skilled workforce for the future. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber developed the Summer Internship Program to address both of these issues. Local companies, who are members of the chamber, enroll their interns in the program, which helps interns network with one another, while learning more about why Oklahoma City is a great place to build a career and a home.
“The Greater Grads Internship Program allows employers the opportunity to showcase what Oklahoma City has to offer for our next generation of workers,” said Lorrie McKay AVP, Manager of Training & Development for Coppermark Bank. “Oklahoma City is truly a “city on the move” and by participating in the Internship Program, we keep that momentum going by helping to attract and retain the best and brightest young people to live and work here in the future.”
Employers can learn about the need to retain more of Oklahoma’s graduates – and how they can help – at a reception on May 20. Intern sessions kick-off with a four-hour “ice-breaker” session on Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Weekly intern lunch sessions are scheduled for each Wednesday in June from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. These informative and entertaining sessions provide interns with the opportunity to learn about the Oklahoma City’s job prospects, cost of living, the arts, entertainment and more. This year the Alliance of Emerging Professionals (AEP) will hold an evening event on June 25 for young professionals, with the interns attending as special guests.
“I feel the Greater Grads Program is important because it allows us to keep our talented graduates in Oklahoma,” said Kym Johnston, Vice-President of Box Talent Agency. “So many college students do not know the opportunities we have. If more employers participated in the program, we could reach and educate so many college students on the great things they can experience here in Oklahoma City – things they are looking for in other markets.”
Cost of the Summer Internship Program is $75 per intern. To enroll interns in the program, contact Joyce Burch at jburch@okcchamber.com or (405) 297-8951.
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