This is the latest in a commentary partnership between Maryland Matters and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Once a month, he provides editorial articles for UMBC faculty, staff, and students about on-campus programs, courses, issues, and broader relevance to the state.
Written by Jennifer Spencer Heilman and Christine Rozahn
Heilman is program director for Workforce Initiatives at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he manages the Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP). Routzahn is the director of UMBC's Career Center, where she oversees the development and delivery of internships, career exploration, and workforce initiatives. MTIP he is administered by UMBC and operated through the Career Center.
Technical internships play a critical role in fostering and building a vibrant innovation ecosystem. Our students' active engagement with local businesses and startups brings fresh ideas, talent, and unique perspectives to foster the growth of Maryland's next generation of innovators.
The vast majority of students who complete the Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP) stay and work in Maryland, keeping this valuable trained workforce in the state and helping small businesses and local companies hire interns. We hope to make it financially possible for you to accept. MTIP plays an important role in Maryland's workforce development.
MTIP is a proven effort for Maryland employers to retain top talent by expanding the availability of paid technical internships across the state. Administered by UMBC and financially supported by the State of Maryland, MTIP encourages technology-based companies and state and local governments to hire more interns by providing matching intern funding and additional support. .
Since its founding in 2018, MTIP has facilitated more than 1,000 paid technology internships across Maryland, in a diverse range of fields including biohealth/life sciences, engineering, IT/software solutions, cybersecurity, and manufacturing. It extends to the industry. The program works with higher education institutions and numerous employers across the state to highlight the importance of bridging the gap between theoretical classroom learning and practical, real-world application. Masu.
One of the program's primary goals is to retain top talent within Maryland after graduation. With more than 75% of MTIP interns expressing interest in remaining in the region for their first job after graduation, MTIP not only develops a skilled workforce but also supports emerging professionals. fosters loyalty. The Maryland Technology Internship Program creates a pathway from college to internships to future careers. Retaining this workforce is critical to the state's long-term economic prosperity.
University students are eager to gain experience in their field of interest. Through internships, students have the opportunity to explore career options, apply skills learned in the classroom, strengthen their resumes, and prepare for full-time employment. In addition, offering paid internships gives students of all socio-economic backgrounds the opportunity to participate. Our data shows that 94% of MTIP interns feel prepared to enter their career field after completing their experience.
Students and employers attending the Spring 2024 MTIP recruitment event at UMBC. UMBC photo.
However, student demand for internships often exceeds availability. While the internship world is dominated by large companies, it's worth noting that MTIP focuses on supporting small and medium-sized businesses. According to career education company zippia.com, 45% of internships are currently offered by companies with 10,000 or more employees, and nearly 90% of U.S. internships are offered by employers with 50 or fewer employees. The position is only 4%. It falls into this category. We are proud to highlight that 89% of MTIP employers are small businesses with fewer than 150 employees, with the majority having fewer than 50 employees. It is clear that we need to encourage small and medium-sized businesses to offer internships. Programs like MTIP do just that.
Internships also have great benefits for employers. It provides an increased ability to scale projects, the ability to gain new perspectives, and, of course, the possibility of transitioning the intern into a full-time role within the company. Many employers say they would not have had the means to support interns without MTIP's assistance. In fact, 88% of employers report that interns have contributed to business growth and improved their organizations in some way. MTIP provides an opportunity for small businesses to compete for talented interns.
Additionally, by partnering with research parks and startup ecosystems, MTIP can expand its reach and expose more students to diverse career paths and enriching educational experiences. MTIP's strategic partnerships with organizations such as bwtech@UMBC Research and Technology Park highlight the importance of collaboration in talent development. To promote recruitment, MTIP presents internship opportunities and hosts recruitment events on behalf of these small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Maryland Technology Internship Program represents an important step in developing Maryland's technology talent pool and supporting economic growth. UMBC is honored to manage his MTIP, showcasing Maryland's commitment to paid internships, small business support, and strategic partnerships that provide a promising foundation for continued expansion and success.
As stakeholders continue to invest in initiatives like MTIP, they contribute not only to the professional development of students but also to the sustainable growth of Maryland's workforce. It is important that we continue to invest in programs like MTIP to ensure the success of the next generation.
