Companies Can Participate in Latest Round of Tech Intern Program

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio companies can now hire interns to support their technology needs, and the Ohio Department of Development will help pay their wages. 

The Diversity & Inclusion Technology Internship Program will accept applications for companies to participate through March 3.

Any business with a technology need can participate. Interns can help create mobile apps, build websites, implement new software and enhance cybersecurity, among other possible responsibilities.

“The Diversity & Inclusion Technology Internship Program is a great opportunity for businesses,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Companies get the technology help they need, they get access to a diverse pool of employees, and they help build Ohio’s future workforce.”

Through 10 rounds of the program, 768 interns have been hired. Of those, 81% have been African American, Asian, Hispanic, other ethnicities and white females.

The Ohio Third Frontier, a program in the Ohio Department of Development, will reimburse companies for two-thirds of an intern’s wages up to $7,500. Companies can hire up to four interns per round and be reimbursed up to $30,000.

“It would be a missed opportunity to not take advantage of this program,” said Fontus Blue founder Chris Miller, whose startup went on to hire its intern for a full-time position. “Even separate from the money, it’s easy to apply, easy to get access to a quality pool of talent, and you get to work with someone with a broad, diverse skill set. Relative to supporting startups, I think it’s awesome for multiple reasons.”

Internships for this round can occur between May 1 and Oct. 31. Another round will open later this year for internships that occur between Nov. 1 and April 30, 2024.

College students also can still apply for the program. Student applications will be accepted until Feb. 28.
For more information and to apply, visit TechIntern.Development.Ohio.Gov.

Pictured at top: A screenshot from a video on the Diversity & Inclusion Internship Program. (YouTube | Tech Ohio)

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.