Eric Schmidt gives intern-placement network InternInc a leg up
Google chief executive Eric Schmidt has given an undisclosed amount to launch InternInc.com, a relatively new social networking site designed specifically to help students connect with companies, their universities, mentors and others that can help them find the internships they need to build their resumes and find employment after graduation.
As for what motivated the decision, Schmidt said only that he wants to support the educational experience students gain from interning.
The site is entering the social networking field at an apt time, with the graduating class of 2009 still having a hard time finding permanent employment due to poor economic conditions and an unforgiving job market.
The idea is to give qualified students the assistance they need to land paid and unpaid internships at Fortune 500 companies and in niche sectors such as fashion and entertainment, according to Dow Jones VentureWire. More often than not, internships are about connecting with the right people who can pull students into the job market when they become available.
Obviously, the site provides a listing of available internships for students to peruse based on their interests and experience. But executives at the companies represented on the site are also encouraged to become mentors, helping students who sign up develop the skills it takes to find and succeed at work.
In order to ensure better matches between students and companies, InternInc says it “certifies” its interns and openings for interns to make sure they are a proper fit before the job even starts. It also offers some training to both parties to make sure that interns have as valuable and effective an experience as possible. This goes beyond the services offered at most campus career centers.
Based in Denver, the site came into existence in March. No other investors in the company have been identified.
Next Story: 5 O’Clock roundup: Net neutrality wins, Windows 7 sorta wins, New York Times still futzing around with the comments
Previous Story: Web 2.0: Sean Parker on why Facebook will win, and Google will lose
About the Author, Camille Ricketts
Camille is the lead writer for GreenBeat. She came to VentureBeat from Google where she worked on its traditional platforms team, particularly in TV. Before that, she was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal in New York and London. Follow her on Twitter at @camillericketts, and follow VentureBeat on Twitter at @venturebeat.
With GreenBeat 2009, VentureBeat's all-star conference on all things Smart Grid, coming up in November, Camille will be expanding coverage of this exciting space. Stay up to date by following @greenbeat2009 on Twitter or by becoming a fan of the event on Facebook here.
-
sam