The Reell Office of Seeing Things Whole is partnering with the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work to launch a new Internship Preparation Program to equip students with the skills and experiences necessary to succeed in the 21st-century workforce. The program focuses on students developing their NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) career competencies: career and self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity and inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology. By combining a skill-building approach with tangible, real-world internships they will learn to see the whole of themselves and their potential in the workforce.
We know that, “Close to two-thirds (64.8%) of employers reported that they use skills-based hiring practices for new entry-level hires,” highlighting a critical need for students to effectively communicate their capabilities. Yet many students struggle to translate their academic strengths—critical thinking, cultural insight, and creative problem-solving—into language that resonates with employers.
Rooted in the Seeing Things Whole Leadership philosophy, the new program directly addresses this challenge through intensive support focused on the eight NACE competencies, helping students bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace application.
Starting with a pilot cohort in the 2025-2026 academic year, the program will scale over three years with the hopes to serve more than 60 students annually. The comprehensive approach includes:
- Self-Discovery and Career Exploration: Students examine their values, strengths, and interests, then apply this self-knowledge to concrete career development activities.
- Professional Communication: Targeted training helps students articulate their unique value proposition to potential employers.
- Leadership Development and Workplace Readiness: Practical skills preparation coupled with staff support in securing summer internships.
- Real-World Experience with Reflection: Summer internships combined with ongoing mentorship to maximize learning and professional growth.
The program goes beyond student preparation—staff will actively cultivate internship opportunities with businesses and organizations. While we won’t guarantee a placement, students can leverage these relationships to secure these learning experiences. We’ll focus on securing paid positions as these experiences typically lead to higher-paying first jobs after graduation.
This program represents more than career preparation—it’s an investment in educational equity. By providing structured support and internship access, the initiative aims to prevent the “permanent detour” of underemployment that too often derails promising careers.
As the job market evolves and needs the interdisciplinary thinking Augsburg students are trained for, the Internship Preparation Program represents a strategic response to the evolving needs of both students and employers, creating pathways for meaningful careers that fully leverage students’ education and unique talents.