CLEVELAND, Ohio — As a college graduate in the early stages of her career, Keisha Gonzalez, reflects on how having a 'paid" internship made a difference in her life. 

  • The Cleveland Foundation partners with nonprofit organizations in the region to offer paid positions to college students who might not otherwise be exposed to local summer jobs that prepare them for careers
  • College students who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors are eligible to apply for positions in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties
  • The application deadline is January 21

“To really be able to not be concerned, for example, of having to rush off to another job, really allowed me to put my whole self into my internship and really be able to provide the best quality of service to Progressive Arts Alliance while I was there,” said Gonzalez, program officer at the Cleveland Foundation.

She credits The Cleveland Foundation's summer internship program. The foundation partners with nonprofit organizations in the region to offer paid positions to college students who might not otherwise be exposed to local summer jobs that prepare them for careers.    

"Understanding that there were sometimes limitations on the extracurriculars that I could participate and also finding those alternatives that I could plug in and continue my growth," said Gonzalez.

As the program officer for leadership development at The Cleveland Foundation, Stephanie Molnar, who is also a former intern, has an appreciation for the knowledge students gain about the many opportunities that exist in Greater Cleveland.

​Without it, I probably would not be working in philanthropy today had I not taken that step and really got to meet so many awesome people with really a variety of career paths that all sort of led to here,” said Molnar. 

The internship program is in its 21st year. College students who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors are eligible to apply.

Positions are available in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. The application deadline is fast approaching for students seeking a placement this summer.

Welcoming a new group of interns is a highlight for the program's supporters.

“When those matches can happen and you get to do the happy phone call, that’s always a really nice feeling,” said Molnar.

The application deadline is January 21 and you can find out how to apply at The Cleveland Foundation's website.