Business

College Jobs

TWO YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS MAKE A CAREER OUT OF INTERNSHIPS.

resources. That process gave them the inspira-
tion to form the company, which they began to
organize while both were still in college. "We
saw the way the labor market was going," said
s summer rapidly approaches, many
Ellman.
college students across the country
The two travel regularly to meet with corpo-
are sending a flurry of resumes to
rate
recruiters at company headquarters. In
employers hoping to snag a summer
addition,
they give presentations to student
internship in their field of study.
clubs,
associations,
classes, fraternities and
But two young entrepreneurs who grew up in
sororities.
"We
do
this
to give companies an on-
the Detroit area have found a more effective
campus
presence
365
days
a year. We are a free
way for students to connect with prospective
PR
[public
relations]
firm
for
both companies
summer employers.
and students," said Ellman.
Jeff Ellman, 24, and Michael Redisch, 23,
The two owners conduct the interviews with
have refined the haphazard process of internship
the
students. "We also work with them to help
hunting into a business that serves the needs of
maximize
their full potential by providing career
both employers and students. Their company,
consulting,
help them with their
Internship USA, is based in East
resumes,
and
especially provide evalua-
Top:
Jeff
Lansing across from the Michigan State
tions.
We
do
mock
interviews and
right,
Ellman,
University campus.
videotape
them
so
the
student can see
chael
and
Mi
The founding partners are recent
what
they
did
wrong
before
they go
Redisch have a
MSU graduates: Redisch in 1999 with
out
on
the
actual
interview,"
said
business
growing
a bachelor's in communications, and
Redisch.
student
placing
Ellman in 2000 with a bachelor's in
interns.
marketing.
Since opening their office in June
Watching The Market
Ellman and
2000, the company has placed 70 stu-
Redisch do most Redisch and Ellman go through com-
dents in internships, and 22 graduates
of the in terview- pany profiles to decide where the stu-
in full-time positions. Their clients
dent would best fit. They call the
range from Plante Moran and Republic ing them selves.
employer and, if there is any interest,
Bank to the city of Burbank, Calif
will
schedule an appointment. "The
F.11man said the goals of the company
companies
are
seeking qualified employees, and
are to expand operations nationally to major col-
we
send
them
only
the top candidates," said
lege campuses. "We should be on all of the Big
Redisch.
The
employer
makes the final hiring
Ten campuses by next summer," he said.
decision.
Internship USA already has representation at
Redisch and Ellman avoided "dot.com " com-
the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Helping
panies
during the recent market decline in tech-
spread the word is their Web site,
nology-oriented
stocks. They did not try to
internshipusa.com, which has already elicited
place
students
with
the dot.coms because "we
response from Europe. Redisch believes their niche
saw
it
coming
six
months
ago, and decided not
firm is the only company offering this service.
to put all our eggs in one basket," said Ellman.
Somewhat surprisingly, for a Michigan-based
company, they have also not tried to put an
Free To Students
emphasis upon the often-cyclical auto industry,
Both Ellman and Redisch used their own
another decision that appears to be justified by
money to start the company, and did nor
recent economic developments. But Ellman said
approach any venture capitalists for funding.
the company is developing some contacts in
The company now has five employees.
Oakland County's Automation Alley.
The entire application process is free to stu-
Ellman grew up in Bloomfield Hills and grad-
dents. The companies pay Internship USA only
uated
from Lahser High School. He is the son
if they select a student.
of Harry and Peggy Ellman, and is the grandson
Internships have gained popularity in the last
of attorney Donald Barris.
15 years. Statistics show that only 5 percent of
Redisch was raised in Farmington Hills and
college graduates had an internship before they
is
a graduate of North Farmington High
left college in 1985. By 1999, that number had
School.
His parents are Stephen and Joan
shot to 80 percent.
Redisch,
and his grandfather is Cantor David
Redisch and Ellman found internships on
❑
Gutman.
their own by using family and friends as

ALAN ABRAMS
Special to the Jewish News

A

;IN

6/15
2001

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