TVCIP Brings Trained Interns, Local Businesses Together

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Internships are a great way for young adults to get their first taste of the working life and an opportunity for businesses to get enthusiastic, short-term help while at the same time contributing to the building of the future workforce.

That's the idea behind the Tri-Valley Connections Internship Program (TVCIP), sponsored by the Tri-Valley Educational Collaborative, a group consisting of the Dublin, Livermore, Sunol, and Pleasanton School Districts, the Chabot/Las Positas Community College District, and the Tri-Valley Regional Occupational Program.

Now entering its third year, the TVCIP connects Las Positas College students and local high school students with year-round internship opportunities. So far, 83 students have participated at 15 area companies, including Hacienda's PeopleSoft, State Farm Insurance, and Tanner Insurance Brokers.

Before applying for an internship, students are required to enroll in an internship readiness course at Las Positas College, where they will receive 12 hours of instruction on professional work conduct and skills like resume writing, cover letters, interviewing, and career assessment.

TVCIP has met with an enthusiastic response from participating businesses.

"Working with TVCIP was easy, and very rewarding. They screened local students based on our criteria, and gave us excellent candidates to choose from," says Max Eckert of The Clorox Services Company. "The interns we selected were eager to work and quickly got up to speed in their assignments. They delivered more than we expected and we were sorry to see them go back to school."

There are many benefits for both businesses and interns, according to program coordinator Diane Perez O'Connor.

"We provide a single point of contact and a pool of work-ready students with specific skill sets and assist in monitoring the internships," she says. "Students gain professional experience, build their resumes, apply classroom learning, and explore their career opportunities while earning college credit."

She also notes that applying students are asked to indicate their interest in specific industries, creating compatible matches with hiring businesses.

"TVCIP does its best to provide internships in a wide variety of disciplines and industries dependent upon the interest of each student and the availability by local businesses," she explains.

For more information, contact Diane Perez O'Connor, coordinator, Tri-Valley Connections Internship Program, at (925) 485-5267 or e-mail info@trivalleyconnections.com. Additional information is available at the program's web site at www.trivalleyconnections.com.

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