Admission Office representatives aren't the only ones directly involved in recruiting these days. While admission counselors have begun to read student applications, Human Resources is beginning to ramp up its recruiting efforts, not for students to enroll, but for minority students to work as summer interns and who someday may become Carnegie Mellon employees.

Through its annual program called "Direct Experience," Human Resources is recruiting students from historically black colleges and universities as well as local institutions to spend the summer at Carnegie Mellon as an intern in their chosen field. Direct Experience supports the university's strategic goal to increase diversity across campus.

"Through the Direct Experience internship program we're hoping to build relationships with students who will consider Carnegie Mellon for future employment," said Jill Diskin, director of Human Resources Services.

"In other words, this is not a quick fix. This is about creating relationships that will cause the intern to view Carnegie Mellon as an employer of choice and an environment where employees of diverse backgrounds are welcome and can succeed," Diskin said.

This past summer HR hosted its fourth annual internship program for minority college students. Six African American students from Morgan State University, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Chatham College and Johnson C. Smith University worked on campus in jobs relating to their educational and career interests.

Job assignments ranged from creating alumni surveys for the University Advancement Division, to working on the Wireless Andrew project for Computing Services and assisting with Project Listen, a School of Computer Science effort that helps children learn to read. Students also worked for University Libraries.

Jada Beaufford, who earned her bachelor's degree in marketing from Morgan State, created and tracked the results of an alumni survey for Don Shields, director of development for the College of Engineering. She prepared a report analyzing the results of the survey and organized a focus group of engineering graduates from the Pittsburgh area. Shields said her work was exceptional.

"One of the primary strengths of the program is that it bridges the gap between class work and the professional work environment by providing a meaningful internship experience," said Beaufford, who is continuing to work in the College of Engineering while a graduate student at the Heinz School. "I've been through a number of internship experiences, and my experience as an intern at Carnegie Mellon has been the most significant in terms of professional experience."

Beaufford said she was "treated professionally, as any other member of the office," and though she was able to work independently, "someone was always willing to assist me when necessary." She said she was recognized as an expert in her field of study-marketing-and that her contributions were deemed valuable to the project.

She also praised Human Resources for making sure each intern had a successful learning and professional experience.

"Having recognized the value that talented minority students can add to the university, and the invaluable experience the university can provide demonstrates an effort to promote diversity at Carnegie Mellon," Beaufford said.

Departments or offices interested in participating in the program by hosting and financially supporting an intern this summer should contact Diskin at 412-268-4747.

Bruce Gerson
(01/07/02)