Nonprofits Offer Students Valuable Experience as Interns

Indeed, times are tough and Main Street businesses as well as corporate ones are feeling the pain of pandemic-related doldrums.

In the past, among other things, they served as a wellspring of exciting and worthwhile experiences for college students through internships. Today that source has been reduced to a trickle.

However, there is another segment of the business community that exists on a different plane that can also benefit students – nonprofits.

Essentially, these institutions – sometimes also called community groups, humanitarian or religious organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) – are businesses though their missions are different. They don’t exist to make a buck but rather to make a difference in society. However, in order to be successful in what they do, they must not only be driven by their missions but they must also pay attention to their bottom lines, cash flow, sponsorships and donations.

Nonprofits are the backbone of democratic societies and we, in the United States, are fortunate to have a myriad of civic-based organizations that make sure that our collective eye is also kept on higher goals. Incidentally, these groups, or NGOs, are held in high regard by the United Nations, which has designated them as the fourth leg in its administrative “stool.” I recall when I was a staff member of the UN Department of Public Information / Non-Governmental Organizations section there were scores of student-interns of large and small humanitarian and community groups plying the hallways of its New York headquarters, fulfilling tasks for their employers.

Consequently, students should not overlook nonprofits when applying for internships.

The February 28 edition of the New York Post wrote about the myriad internships and other advantages offered for students by NGOs. One of the youths written about was a business student at Ramapo College of New Jersey, which hosts the New Jersey Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC), headed by Regional Director Vincent J. Vicari. As an educational institution, it is a nonprofit. If you haven’t come across this institution in your entrepreneurial careers, this center and others like it across New Jersey and the United States are the preeminent sources of free, hands-on help for small business owners. For students, they also offer valuable internships.

Jakub Zak, 19, of Wallington, NJ, a finance student as Ramapo, devoted 10 weeks to a remote internship with the NJSBDC office in northern Bergen County. Zak reviewed financials, budgeting and forecasting, working closely with the NJSBDC business consultant.

“Every time I made a business plan for a client, I was able to develop my analytical skills,” Zak was quoted as saying by the New York Post. “When I first entered college, I wouldn’t envision doing all of my work on a computer. I always envisioned shaking hands. It’s been a success, because of the people I work with, they’re class acts, open to communications. We can call, text, e-mail — there’s a nice bond.”

Zak sustained his internship throughout the school year, while maintaining a 3.88 GPA, and will continue throughout the summer. The educational, business and professional experiences are awesome with the NJSBDC at Ramapo because of the wide range of real businesses that are counseled by Vicari and his team.

“I have good grades to feel a sense of accomplishment, but [this] sense of accomplishment is different because you actually help a business. You see the open sign on the door — you’re authentically helping someone,” said Zak.

Regardless of the business climate on Main Street, life goes on and so do commerce and trade. In tough times they must be helped so they can reach safe waters. Vicari said, “Business doesn’t stop. In order to jump on that moving train, students are perfectly poised to be passengers, and they’ve jumped on with a vengeance. I’m so proud of what these students have achieved.”

Last summer, 24 interns worked for the center, and Vicari anticipates expanding the program this summer. Positions will post on the career management platform Handshake in May. “There’s no shortage of clients,” said Vicari. “There’s an opportunity to coordinate public services to help our economy recover.”

The NJSBDC at Ramapo College offers double-edged services to the Garden State’s economy. On the one side, there are the obvious small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs that need advice, guidance and help in launching their commercial projects in any economic climate. Their need is greater today due to the unexpected calamity caused by COVID-19 and Vicari is prepared to step up to the plate and help them overcome difficulties. He is known in the business community for his hands-on approach to solving his clients’ difficulties. In order for small businesses to hurdle over today’s crisis, he helps locate government funding sources, walks them through the application process, and finally even helps them hang the “Open for Business” sign on their doors.

On the other edge is the Ramapo center’s help for students – tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and business owners. With Vicari and Ramapo they get a useful taste of what they can expect on Main Street. Undeniably a win-win scenario for New Jersey.

Vicari was recognized for his dedicated service with the prestigious ICON award by NJBIZ. Ed Petkus, dean of Ramapo College’s Anisfield School of Business, had said, “This recognition is extremely well-deserved. Vince has been working tirelessly during the pandemic, assisting small businesses in their efforts to weather the crisis.”

Vicari’s service was also acknowledged with appropriate proclamations by State lawmakers.

Vicari is known for his business acumen, and exemplary, strong and dedicated efforts in assisting small business owners and entrepreneurs. He has helped restaurants, machine fabricators, dog training schools, and other businesses succeed. Regardless of temporary financial troubles or the aftermath of natural calamities or today’s misfortunes, he provides quality, hands-on support for business clients, delivers specialized assistance to them, and ultimately leads small business owners to the path of profitability. His door is never closed to any businessman and woman who needs his help, guidance and advice. Visit him at his website https://www.sbdcbergen.com/.