BB2C Partners with Rural Action on Paid Student Internships

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” When a student is trying to decide what they want to do for a career, they often fall back on what they know. And what they know depends on who they know. The careers paths of their parents, siblings, and family friends can strongly influence what a student considers doing themselves. One way to increase career options is by increasing a student’s network. All of BB2C’s programs and events work to increase a student’s network. One of the most intensive ways we do this is through our internship program.

To increase internship opportunities for students in the BB2C Network, we have partnered with Rural Action to provide paid internships. In 2021, we assisted with 53 internship placements for students in 9 counties in Appalachia Ohio. Students earned a total of $34,000 in stipends for their work, while also gaining skills, experience, and knowledge around a career, business, field, or industry. The BB2C-Rural Action partnership is investing a total of $100,000 through 150 internships in the region over a two-year timeframe.

Past intern Julia Guidry reflected on her experience and shared, “I never would have made my own [network] if this program wasn’t in place. I feel that it is helping so many other students get into a better place by giving them these new connections and a support system.”

We currently have four internship opportunities available for the spring of 2022 and are seeking high school students who are interested in applying. The internships are focusing on “green jobs” that work with the environment, ecotourism, and agriculture. These are paid internships that will last for 40-60 hours over the semester. The schedule is flexible and can work around the students’ availability. Students do need to have reliable transportation to be able to apply.

If you know a student who may be interested in applying, have them visit bb2careers.org/internships to learn more and apply. You can also reach out to Hunter Warsinsky, Placement Coordinator, at hwarsinsky@bb2careers.org with questions.