Michigan STEM Forward Internship Program - Online Information Sessions for Employers

The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) approved a new talent initiative that strengthens Michigan's competitive advantage when it comes to talent and workforce. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) will partner with Ann Arbor SPARK to launch the Michigan STEM Forward internship program on a statewide level. SPARK has run the program on a local level through the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti SmartZone with a decade of positive results. 

In scaling the program up, MEDC will work in partnership with SPARK to place 425-450 STEM students currently attending Michigan colleges annually into STEM-focused internships throughout Michigan. With the support of a $1.5 million grant approved by the MSF Board, SPARK will contribute to 50% of the intern's pay, and participating companies will pay the remaining 50%. SPARK will track the employment status of the interns for at least 12 months to measure their retention in Michigan as well as those remaining in those knowledge positions.

"We have a solid track record of delivering results that help both businesses and job seekers: Of the students that participated in our internship program over the last five years, 84% of them accepted jobs in Michigan upon graduation," said Bill Mayer, SPARK Vice President of Entrepreneurial Services. "It's vital that we not only attract talent to Michigan, but retain young jobseekers post-graduation as a strategy to extend the pipeline of workers available to growing companies."

SPARK is hosting a no-cost virtual informational session on Michigan STEM Forward. Participants will learn more about this new statewide initiative that matches students attending Michigan colleges and universities with internship opportunities at the state's leading innovative companies. Companies do not have to be in a specific industry, but all internships must be STEM-focused. Michigan STEM Forward provides students meaningful career experience and promotes job retention in the state, while providing financial support to companies who hire these interns. 

Who is eligible:

• Students attending a Michigan college or university pursuing a STEM-related profession.
• Companies based in Michigan that can be verified by their local economic development organization and/or MEDC SmartZone.   (The Underground Incubator /Port Huron Smartzone service all of St. Clair County) 
• Companies that can offer an STEM focused(Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) position to interns can benefit from this program (many interns will be short-term during the summer months, etc. but develop a long term relationship with the company that can turn into a post-graduation full time position.  
  
  *Also due to COVID-19 and many classes being virtual - more students may be available