At its core, the story behind the creation of Usaintern, llc is that of an employer that experienced firsthand the tremendous value that motivated, talented interns can add to an organization’s efforts.  In 2003, Senior Media Coordinator Chanin Coyle was assigned to help staff the Compas, Inc. Media Department with assistants for the busy holiday season. Recognizing the opportunity for college students to gain real world work experience, Chanin originally developed and implemented an Internship Program for a semester. The single semester Internship Program soon grew into a full year program. Eventually, the program expanded to meet the needs of other departments throughout the company.  Word soon spread of Compas’ model Internship Program and other employers began turning to Chanin for guidance in developing their own Internship Programs.  

When outside employers began requesting assistance in accessing resumes, networking with area colleges, and promoting themselves to students, the idea of a web-based business took shape.  The goal of the business was twofold:  1) to help employers develop quality internship programs that could potentially transition a graduating college student into a full time hire and to assist the employers in promoting their programs to area colleges; and 2) to provide a quick and easy resource for students to find internship, externship, course credit and volunteer opportunities nearby.  

In 2005, Chanin worked with the Rutgers-Camden Small Business Administration to develop a business plan and marketing strategy.   Armed with a convincing proposal, Chanin then made a successful pitch to Compas President Stan Woodland to partner with her in the creation of  Usaintern, llc.  The first website, www.Indiana-Internships, was officially launched in April 2005.

After launching the company, Chanin initially devoted her time to working with college career centers, chambers of commerce, and other employer associations as well as with student organizations. Surveys, focus groups, and online communications from students, employers, and colleges have helped ensure the development of a website and services that meet user needs.

Today Usaintern comprises over 50 internship sites that provide local internship opportunities across the nation.  Thousands of employers have posted opportunities in over 80 career categories. Employers such as the FBI, ABC, NFL Films, and CBS News are among those that routinely post internships.

In addition to serving as a resource for employers and prospective interns to connect with each other, Usaintern, llc distinguishes itself by providing students with forums for interacting with each other, employers, and career center staff.  For example, Usaintern’s SocialPass feature enables internship seekers to conveniently ask friends and family for feedback on specific internship opportunities without leaving the internship posting.   Specifically, SocialPass enables internship seekers to immediately connect with friends and family via Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and Email.  This year, Usaintern,llc has also launched a cell phone text alert system that provides immediate notification to applicants via cell phone when an employer wants to interview them.  And blogs, discussion boards, and featured employer interviews are all in various stages of development.

Practicing what it preaches, Usaintern hires interns it finds through its website and works with them each semester to further develop and manage the site.  In fact, the current site was designed and programmed by interns and is maintained by interns.  Upon graduation, several former Usaintern interns have been hired by the company as full and part-time employees. Usaintern is continually working to offer its users new internship opportunities in traditional, emerging, and growing industries.