Three Yalies hope to make internship a reality

For years, Yalies seeking internships in the New Haven community have been left to fend for themselves. Without an organized program to match potential employers with students, most have shied away from venturing into the Elm City's professional world. But if Seth Gordon, SY '00, Chad Golder, BK '01, and Matt Wolf, DC '99, have their way, the gap between Yalies and New Haven businesses will soon be bridged.

"I don't think...students take advantage of New Haven," Wolf, co-founder of the Yale-New Haven Internship Program, said. "If marketed correctly, there could be a huge demand for its opportunities." After interning at Mayor John De Stefano's office last year, Wolf developed the idea of creating a network between Yale and city businesses.

With the guidance of Michael Morand, assistant secretary for education and human development in the Office of New Haven Affairs, Wolf, Harris, and Golder contacted over 90 area businesses to gauge interest in the idea. "The response has been amazing," Wolf said. "Originally, we were looking for 20 to 25 firms. But now it looks like we may have as many as 35 or 40 different firms, offering 60 to 70 internships."

Firms are now in the process of filling out forms to detail specific internship offerings. The descriptions will be compiled into booklets that will be released at the beginning of next semester. Interested students can send résumés and cover letters directly to the businesses.

Organizations participating in the internship program run the whole spectrum, from law firms to galleries to city government. "You name it, we have something about it," Wolf said. "And students won't be stuffing envelopes, either."

"Interns will be interviewing clients, visiting clients in jail, and evaluating cases," Joan Leonard, supervising assistant public defender, said. Work experience and specific majors aren't required. "We're looking for people with strong language and interpersonal skills who will be able to talk to people who are upset and angry," she said.

Those seeking journalistic experience can apply for internships at Business New Haven, a biweekly publication with a circulation of 13,000. "There's more than enough work here to go around," Assistant Editor Kevin Wheeler said. According to Wheeler, interns will do research and writing, and will "have direct access to the editor and publisher," she stated.

The organizations look forward to bringing Yalies on board. "So many times, we've sent advertisements to different departments through Yale, looking for interns...but the University never responded," Wheeler said. "This program was really professionally handled...we were interested immediately."

Robert Matthews, CEO of Matthews Ventures, shares Wheeler's enthusiasm. "Matt gave me a buzz two weeks ago and I told him I thought it was a great idea," he said. "[The program] will give a glimpse of what it's like in the real world, and help Yale become more user-friendly."

Yalies are excited as well. "Anytime I speak to any of my friends and tell them about it, they say it's a great idea," Golder said. "It's sort of a simple thing to start, but it just never was organized."

Currently, New Haven-Yale Internships is being developed in collaboration with the Office of New Haven Affairs. "There are still various details that need to be worked out," Morand said. "Bringing it from a great idea to implementation raises various questions." In addition, General Counsel Attorney Jonathan Clune has been working with Morand and the founders to iron out legal and logistical details.

Assuming these hurdles are cleared, the founders will work early next semester to recruit Yalies for the program. "Matt's going abroad next semester, so Seth and I will focus heavily on getting students involved," Golder said. "We'll put the internship booklets in the dining halls, we'll table tent and put up posters, and hold an informational meeting. Hopefully, the program will spread with word of mouth."

The founders are considering turning New Haven-Yale Internships into an official undergraduate organization, but are first waiting to observe student response to the program. According to Assistant Dean Philip Greene, who coordinates student activities, "The program is welcome to become an undergraduate organization. But we'd be happy to work out of the Office of New Haven Affairs." Greene plans to remain in regular contact with the founders throughout next semester, and predicts that by April the program's permanent status will become clearer.

Administrators are optimistic about the program's future. "It seems like an idea whose time has come," Greene said. Morand cited "a lot of interest in working with Yale students [among area businesses]."

The founders also hope that the program will help improve town-gown relations. "The businesses of New Haven definitely have a great resource in Yale," Gordon said. "We have some of the smartest students in the country, if not the world, here. This program will benefit the businesses, and can also benefit [the city], since if students get internships and they like their positions, they may decide to go back to work there. I know a lot of people who love Yale and wouldn't mind staying here a little bit longer."

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