Northern Essex Community College is collaborating with more local employers than ever before and, as a result, launching an increasing number of students into rewarding careers.

Some former students, such as Computer Information Sciences graduate Tim Field of Haverhill, began their careers through NECC’s growing internship program. Field landed an internship at Muzzy Lane, a Newburyport-based technology company powering game-based learning and assessment, and found his niche as a software developer almost instantly.

“I realized I needed to do something different,” he says. “I liked the logic of programming.”

NECC Computer & Information Science graduate Tim Field

Following his graduation, Field was officially hired at the company where he continues to work today.

Though impressive, Field’s story is by no means unique. Dozens of students are now enrolled in the internship program and working quickly toward employment. NECC Career Connections Coordinator Ashley Moore points out that internship programs are becoming more popular.

“They are incredibly valuable to job seekers,” she says. “Internships in college allow students to gain real-world experience and to solidify their future career goals.”

A number of local employers echo Moore’s opinion, noting that they are often impressed by the level of maturity and enthusiasm that Northern Essex students possess. Mike Elmer, director of capabilities for Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New England (CCNE) says, “Our internship experience with NECC has been to our benefit at many levels: it has provided us a framework for a more effective intern program at CCNE, helped to provide skilled focus in areas of business opportunity, and given us insight to the quality of potential new-hire candidates NECC develops here in the Merrimack Valley.”

In addition to the new variety of internship experiences, Northern Essex also offers a growing number of health practicums as well as externships for human services, criminal justice, and laboratory science students.

David Legg, a partnering employer of Charm Sciences, Inc. of Lawrence is pleased with the results of the college’s offerings:
“There’s a need for laboratory technicians who are trained and educated in basic safe laboratory procedures to generate reliable quality data. Associate degree programs (like NECC’s laboratory science program) produce graduates who can fill this need.”

To learn more about internship opportunities at NECC, visit the website or contact Ashley Moore, amoore@necc.mass.edu or 978 556-3946.  Here is a sampling of local employers offering NECC internships:

512 Media
92.5 The River
Advertising That Works
Blue Ocean Music Hall
CBS Radio
Coca-Cola Bottling Company
of Northern New England
Colony Foods
EBSCO
Entercom Communications
Boston
Geskus Yearbook Publishing
GraVoc Associates
HC Media
HMF Printing
INHOUSE Worldwide
Lawrence Public Schools
Lupoli Companies
MicroData
Moody, Famiglietti &
Andronico, LLP
Muzzy Lane Software
NE Digital Imaging
Northern Essex Community
College
RMON Networks, Inc
Sign Gallery
Simply Elegant Catering
Strategic Talent
The Community House
The Eagle Tribune
The Lowell Sun
The Maker Mill
WHAV