Michigan is proactively working to ensure college students and recent grads see a long-term future in the Great Lakes State, exemplified through the STEAM Ahead internship program as research shows that internships strongly influence a recent graduate’s decision on where to work and live

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Economic Development Corporation's (MEDC) decision to rebrand earlier this year its celebrated STEM Forward program to “STEAM Ahead” — streamlining the employer-reimbursement structure, increasing its financial incentives and incorporating new internship roles that live at the intersection of arts and science, technology, engineering and math careers such as front-end web developers and industrial designers — is achieving record-setting results.

The MEDC’s new and improved STEAM Ahead program has successfully funded over 570 summer internships during the first half of 2024. Since launching in 2021, the program has averaged 275 interns during a calendar year. STEAM Ahead surpassed that mark in just one semester this year, more than doubling the program’s previous best semester of 272 interns funded in summer 2022.

The program’s evolution to STEAM Ahead reflects the MEDC’s effort to be more inclusive of careers such as geographic information systems, architectural engineering, CAD design and sound engineering as well as elevate the role these careers can play in Michigan’s priority talent industries, with an emphasis on electric vehicles (EV), semiconductors and advanced manufacturing.

“We’re thrilled by the return on investment we’re seeing from expanding internship opportunities for students to explore new and emerging career paths in Michigan’s high-tech fields,” said MEDC Executive Vice President, Chief of Talent Solutions and Engagement Officer Kerry Ebersole Singh.

“The changes introduced by MEDC and its Talent Solutions division to STEAM Ahead, combined with leveraging our new and existing partnerships with higher education institutions, regional and local economic development organizations and employers, have generated twice as many early career opportunities for students to gain real-world, hands-on experience at Michigan companies than the previous year,” Ebersole Singh said.

Students from 38 Michigan colleges and universities are participating in internships through STEAM Ahead this summer. Higher education partners include the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Ferris State University, Calvin University, Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan Technological University and Delta College.

Michigan students attending out-of-state schools are also eligible for STEAM Ahead. Students at 26 out-of-state colleges are participating in Michigan internships this summer. This includes Michigan students from the University of Wisconsin, Arizona State University, the University of Pennsylvania, Morehouse College and Duke University.

Four students who are interns at Colliers Engineering & Design (CED) in Lansing exemplify the benefits of the experience for both prospective career seekers and employers:

Devonte Coppin, 20, a Bridgetown, Barbados, native and Michigan State University sophomore who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.

During his Colliers Engineering & Design internship, Coppin has developed one-line diagrams for EV charger projects, which include performing load calculations, wire sizing and voltage drop calculations. Additionally, Coppin conducted photometric analysis for various enclosed areas on a warehouse project and worked on powering, circuiting and creating panel schedules to incorporate into electrical sheets.

“My summer internship has been highly beneficial in many ways. It has provided me with hands-on experience in the architecture and engineering fields, allowing me to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world projects,” Coppin said.

“Overall, this internship has strengthened my technical skills, boosted my confidence and enhanced my attention to detail. This experience has also given me valuable insights into the industry and practices, preparing me for future professional opportunities.”

Nicole Hengesbach, 22, a Westphalia, Michigan, native and Michigan State University senior who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering.

“My internship is benefiting me by giving me experience in an engineering office. I am learning technical skills related to bridge design as well as soft skills that better enable me to work in a team,” Hengesbach said. “This summer I have worked on multiple projects. The main ones have been updating bridge load ratings based on plans and inspection reports and assisting in the plan development and submittal of local agency bridges.”

Audrey Huhn, 19, a graduate of Holt High School near Lansing, who is a University of Michigan sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture.

“My internship has been extremely beneficial so far this summer because I’ve had the opportunity to learn a variety of softwares and get experience working on real projects,” Huhn said. “These skills will be invaluable to me as a future architect, and I am grateful to have a head start using (state-of-the-art) software through my Colliers Engineering & Design internship. The exposure to projects has also been eye-opening to see how things come together and learn critical construction detail. My team has been extremely supportive when setting up projects for me and has answered all of my questions when needed, helping me learn and making this experience so much more enjoyable. I also participate in weekly intern meetings, which cover everything from professional development to exploring career options. All of the opportunities I’ve been given throughout this internship have made me much more passionate about architecture and have better prepared me for my future career.”

Jason VanVeldhuisen, 20, of Brookeville, Maryland, is a junior at Calvin University pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering with civil/environmental concentration.

“At the start of my internship, I was tasked with checking sidewalk ramps to ensure ADA compliance and redesigning them if they did not meet it. After that, I helped construct typical road designs for another project. This summer internship has benefited me by learning more about highway engineering, as well as other departments that Colliers Engineering & Design has to offer,” said VanVeldhuisen. “I have learned about the field I am in through my supervisor and the other members of the Highway and Traffic Team. I have also got to know other forms of engineering through CED’s career exploration series.”

In addition to Colliers Engineering & Design, more than 150 companies are participating in STEAM Ahead this summer, including 107 new employer partners. Approximately 43% of Michigan’s STEAM Ahead interns are working at large companies like Nexteer Automotive and Magna, while 20% are working for medium-sized businesses (50-499 employees) and approximately 37% are working for small and startup businesses (50 or fewer employees). Examples include the Lansing-based fluid and thermal engineering firm Airflow Sciences Corp., which employs three STEAM Ahead interns this summer, and Steelhead Technologies, an Upper Peninsula-based industrial software firm in Calumet that has eight STEAM Ahead interns on board this summer.

“Programs like STEAM Ahead are invaluable for both Colliers Engineering & Design and the broader industry,” said Rick Chelotti, PE, division director, infrastructure for Colliers Engineering & Design. 

“By integrating arts with traditional STEM fields, we’re able to develop a more holistic approach to problem-solving and innovation,” Chelotti said.

“The support from MEDC allows us to attract and nurture talented interns who bring fresh perspectives and creative solutions. This initiative not only strengthens our immediate project teams but also helps build a strong pipeline of future leaders,” said Chelotti. “With nine interns currently participating in the program, Colliers Engineering & Design sees firsthand how these interns make significant contributions, and we’re excited about the continued partnership with MEDC to develop the next generation of professionals.”

MEDC research shows that internships strongly influence a recent college graduate’s decision on where to work and live. When all things are equal, MEDC findings show, they will choose to stay within a four-hour radius and make their lives near their alma mater or hometown if they can attain a high-wage job, feel that their city or town has much to offer them and feel connected to the place they live. 

To make STEAM Ahead more attractive, the MEDC increased the intern wage match amounts to help spur more Michigan businesses of all sizes to hire interns, expand work experience opportunities for college students and potentially find long-term, highly skilled hires.

MEDC now matches employer contributions toward internship wages up to $4,000 for a full-time position or up to $2,000 for part-time positions. Companies of all sizes must be Michigan-based or have a strong presence in Michigan. Internship positions must have a strong STEAM focus and pay a minimum of $15 per hour.

“STEAM Ahead is creating stronger pathways to 21st-century careers that will help attract and retain young talent while showcasing Michigan as a hub for a future-ready workforce essential to building a stronger economy,” Ebersole Singh said. “The stronger the economy with opportunities available at higher-paying jobs and career advancement, the more attractive Michigan becomes for young talent.”

Among the reasons the Gov. Whitmer-appointed bipartisan Growing Michigan Together Council cited in its 2023 report for Michigan’s college student exodus is a lack of access to internships and opportunities for meaningful on-the-job experience prior to entering the full-time workforce.

In the absence of a clear track for career growth with a Michigan-based company, young talent will continue to seek high-paying jobs with employers in other states and regions with concentrated industries and networks of professionals, exacerbating the state’s existing labor shortage, the council reported.

“We are creating top talent here in Michigan, but that’s not enough,” said MEDC Director of Higher Education Partnerships Ava Attari. “We must also be proactive to retain our young professionals and ensure that experienced talent can continue to thrive in Michigan.”

Key features of the STEAM Ahead program include:

• A one-to-one match from MEDC, alongside employers, of up to $4,000 toward full-time interns (21-40 hours per week) and $2,000 toward part-timers (20 or fewer hours per week).
• A reimbursement payment model that allows businesses to pay their intern directly and manage their own payroll, then seek reimbursement from MEDC for their contributions. This was explicitly requested by participating employers.
• Eligible students include those currently enrolled at any Michigan school or Michiganders attending school out of state as well as recent graduates (within a year of graduation).
• Companies must pay their interns at least $15 per hour and are welcome to set their wage above that amount.
• Internships can range from eight to 12 weeks in lengthper semester.
• Any size company is eligible — from enterprise organizations to startups — so long as it is a legal entity (e.g., C corporation, S corporation, LLC, LLP, B corporation, nonprofit).
• Companies must submit a one-time application to MEDC, and once that is approved, they must submit their internship(s) for approval for the semester. Requests for funding for internships for fall 2024 can be submitted starting Aug. 12. 

More information is available at Michiganbusiness.org/steam-ahead.