Article: College students are turning to nonprofits

Excerpt from 02/28/2021 New York Post:

Jakub Zak, 19, of Wallington, NJ, is studying finance at Ramapo College of New Jersey. His 10-week remote summer internship was with the college’s Small Business Development Center, which supports small to mid-size businesses including nonprofits in Bergen County. Zak reviewed financials, budgeting and forecasting, working closely with an SBDC business consultant.

“Every time I made a business plan for a client, I was able to develop my analytical skills,” said Zak. “When I first entered college, I wouldn’t envision doing all of my work on a computer. I always envisioned shaking hands. It’s been a success, because of the people I work with, they’re class acts, open to communications. We can call, text, e-mail — there’s a nice bond.”

Zak sustained his internship throughout the school year, all while maintaining a 3.88 GPA, and will continue throughout the summer.

“I have good grades to feel a sense of accomplishment, but [this] sense of accomplishment is different because you actually help a business. You see the open sign on the door — you’re authentically helping someone,” said Zak.

“Business doesn’t stop,” said Vince Vicari, the regional director of the SBDC. “In order to jump on that moving train, students are perfectly poised to be passengers, and they’ve jumped on with a vengeance. I’m so proud of what these students have achieved.”

Last summer, 24 interns worked for the center, and Vicari anticipates expansion this summer. Positions will post on the career management platform Handshake in May.“ There’s no shortage of clients,” said Vicari. “There’s an opportunity to coordinate public services to help our economy recover.”

You can read the entire article here.