JAMESTOWN – The Chautauqua Advancement Project is an innovative internship program offered to bachelor degree holders, sponsored by the Gebbie Foundation. The program hopes to attract and retain a talented workforce that supports young professionals to start careers in the Jamestown area.

“Over the last four years, we have worked with over 32 young professionals and have successfully retained the talents of at least half of those interns at local businesses,” said Katie Geise, WIB Executive Director. “We hope to continue this trend with a new group of young professionals who want to remain in our area.”

Applicants will be brought in for an exploratory interview in order for Geise and co-facilitator Kate Piazza to get to know them and their career aspirations.

“This internship program is unique in the sense that the type of internship is not decided by us, but by the applicant pool. We get to know what type of career an applicant hopes to pursue locally, and we go out to try to find the right match for the internship. We also do our best to develop an internship that has the potential to turn into a job opportunity,” Piazza said.

The program will place interns at host organizations Monday-Thursday, while on Fridays the interns will work with Geise and Piazza to develop leadership and networking skills while also coordinating a community project.

“During the program, we focus on building up the networks of the interns by hosting different events that allow interns to meet other young professionals and business leaders,” said Geise. “This can open up many more opportunities for the interns to become more involved in our community.”

If you are a recent or upcoming college graduate and are interested in applying for the CAP Internship Program, visit www.chautauquaworks.com and click on the ENET tab or contact Kate Piazza at kpiazza@chautauquaworks.com or 487-5175.